NANTUCKET, Mass. - President Joe Biden called upon a deeply divided U.S. to "stop the rancor," as he continued a longtime family tradition of celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on Nantucket island. Accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, the President emphasized the need for Americans to come together to address the nation's challenges.

In a phone interview with NBC News' Al Roker before the Thanksgiving Day parade in Manhattan, President Biden highlighted the importance of unity. He acknowledged the political divisions in the country but stressed that the majority of Americans desired an end to the acrimony.

"On this Thanksgiving, Al, we have to come together," President Biden expressed. "We can have different political views, but we have one view. The one view is that we're the finest, greatest nation in the world. We should focus on that."

President Biden further emphasized the need to tackle issues collectively and treat each other with decency. He stated that the vast majority of the American people shared this sentiment.

The President and First Lady arrived on Tuesday for their Thanksgiving holiday at the waterfront residence of billionaire David Rubenstein. On Thanksgiving morning, the couple made calls to units from each branch of the military to express gratitude for their service.

Later, the Bidens visited the Nantucket Fire Department to convey their appreciation, bearing gifts. The President, donning a baseball cap and navy coat, entered the building with the First Lady carrying two pie boxes adorned with purple ribbons.

Reporters questioned President Biden about the ongoing hostage deal as he departed from the fire department. However, the President declined to provide an update, stating he was not prepared until it was resolved.

During the Thanksgiving parade, President Biden refrained from discussing the hostage deal or engaging in partisan discussions. He expressed his optimism, stating, "I've never been more optimistic."

In line with the holiday spirit, the Biden re-election campaign released an email titled, "Your Handy Guide for Responding To Crazy MAGA Nonsense This Thanksgiving." The email offered suggestions on how to address political conversations during family gatherings, including countering polls about Trump's popularity with statements about previous incorrect predictions.

Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, took a more somber tone in his Thanksgiving message, expressing his concerns about the state of the country.

Nantucket holds special significance for the Bidens as their chosen Thanksgiving vacation spot. In his memoir "Promise Me, Dad," President Biden mentioned how the tradition began in 1975 when he was a widower and dating Jill Jacobs. Opting not to choose between families, then-Senator Biden followed an aide's suggestion and celebrated Thanksgiving on Nantucket with his two sons.

However, as President, Biden's vacations require an extensive support staff. The island witnessed the arrival of large C-17 planes earlier in the week, unloading vehicles and cargo. Secret Service agents were also spotted walking through the streets.

During their interview with Al Roker, the First Lady emphasized the importance of kindness on Thanksgiving. She encouraged people to reach out to others and perform acts of kindness.

As the Thanksgiving holiday comes to an end, President Biden's message of unity and kindness serves as a reminder of the shared values that bind the American people together.