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Bush Phone Call Helps Local Man Deal With Loss
NBC 4 ^ | November 3, 2004

Posted on 11/03/2004 4:46:40 PM PST by flutters

President Calls Man After Wife's Death

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- It was an all-out push to the finish for President George W. Bush during the 2004 campaign, but in the middle of the battle, a single phone call placed by the president made all the difference for a Columbus-area man, NBC 4's Holly Hollingsworth reported.

Karry Ellis, an assistant chief for the Columbus Division of Fire, is grieving the loss of his wife to cancer, but he said the nation's returning commander in chief found time late in his campaign to show compassion.

Two week ago, Ellis' wife, Martha, passed away after a six-year battle with breast cancer .

"She just took two real slow, deep breaths, and I just screamed, 'Sweetheart, I love you!' " Ellis said. "And she just kind of raised up and said, 'I love you.' And that was it. She was gone."

During a Bush campaign visit a couple of months ago, Ellis managed to meet the president and told him about his wife's diagnosis. The president and first lady sent notes and even called Ellis' wife on the phone.

"And she said, 'Oh my God, I can't believe you're calling me,' " Ellis said. "And she said she said that a couple of times. And he said, 'Well, I just met Karry down at Nationwide Arena and he told me about your battles. I just wanted to let you know that Laura and I will be praying for you every night.' "

When the president made his last-ditch campaign swings through Ohio late last week, he learned of Martha Ellis' death. Just before boarding Air Force One to leave Columbus last Saturday, he took a moment to make a call. Karry Ellis picked up just as the answering machine clicked on.

"I want you to know our prayers are with you," Bush told Ellis as the answering machine was recording. "And I remember when you talked about her, you talked with such passion and love, that I know you're hurting right now. (She was a beautiful woman, Mr. President.) I know it."

Ellis said that when he listens to the president's words, he said he knows they come from the heart.

Ellis said that several of his friends and neighbors voted for Bush based simply on the kindness he showed to the Ellis family.

Ellis said he feels that compassion is one of the most important traits a leader can possess.


TOPICS: US: Ohio
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Martha and Karry Ellis

What a great story. Mr. Ellis is in my prayers and God Bless our President.

1 posted on 11/03/2004 4:46:40 PM PST by flutters
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To: flutters

Ladies and Gentlemen.. this is the leader we have selected for this nation. Be thankful. I know I am.

You will never heard about this story from the MSM - ever... but it has impacted Mr. Ellis for a lifetime, which is what matters most.


2 posted on 11/03/2004 4:49:00 PM PST by BoBToMatoE
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To: flutters

It certainy shows what a genuine, caring individual President Bush is.

Rest In Peace Martha Ellis.


3 posted on 11/03/2004 4:49:58 PM PST by Aussie Dasher (Stop Hillary '08)
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To: flutters
Lump-in-throat, tear-running-down-cheek bump.

Thank you God for watching over our nation and providing us with the needed leadership. Amen.

4 posted on 11/03/2004 4:52:30 PM PST by mattdono ("Crush the democrats, drive them before you, and hear the lamentations of the scumbags" -Big Arnie)
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To: flutters

The true measure of a man is how he treats people who cannot help him. President Bush is the real thing. The busiest man on earth is not too busy to help put a little sunshine into someone's life who is really hurting. What a story! What a man!


5 posted on 11/03/2004 4:53:08 PM PST by NoControllingLegalAuthority
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To: flutters

{suppressing a strange watery substance welling in my eyes...}


6 posted on 11/03/2004 4:53:40 PM PST by Carling (What happened to Sandy Burglar's Docs?)
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To: flutters

This story brought tears to my eyes.


7 posted on 11/03/2004 4:54:18 PM PST by 6SJ7
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To: flutters

What a compassionate man we have to lead this country. I'm so thankful he was re-elected.


8 posted on 11/03/2004 4:55:42 PM PST by not_apathetic_anymore
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To: flutters
My condolences to Mr. Ellis and his family. I know the pain of losing a loved one to cancer. It took my Uncle, who was more like a father than anyone I know, in 1986.

The sadness in my heart is tempered by the knowledge I voted for a man who has been called a moron yet he remembers the name of a person he met once and called to offer comfort. "Nucular" pales by comparison.

God bless our troops wherever they may be.

And God bless and keep the 43rd President of the United States, George Walker Bush. He is one of a kind.

9 posted on 11/03/2004 4:57:07 PM PST by JusticeTalion (Vulcan's never bluff.)
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To: flutters

What are you talking about???

I've been told - time and time again - that Bush is EVIL and JUST LIKE HITLER!!!

/sarcasm

This is a beautiful story. I'm certain that someone could compile a book with real-life stories of the compassion of GWB.


10 posted on 11/03/2004 4:58:01 PM PST by bolobaby
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To: mattdono

BIG DITTOS to your sentiments, tears and all.


11 posted on 11/03/2004 4:59:07 PM PST by infidel29 (America is GREAT because she is GOOD, the moment she ceases to be GOOD, she ceases to be GREAT- B.F.)
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To: flutters

Just awesome...thank you Ohio.


12 posted on 11/03/2004 5:00:59 PM PST by My Favorite Headache (Absalom, Absalom, Absalom....)
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To: flutters

Good thought...brings tears ........Thanks.


13 posted on 11/03/2004 5:01:33 PM PST by pointsal
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To: flutters

. . . what an incredibly touching story and what an incredibly compassionate president -- FOUR MORE YEARS!


14 posted on 11/03/2004 5:04:31 PM PST by DrDeb
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To: flutters

God bless GW Bush & the Ellis family. If there is a stereotypical American, then President Bush is one.


15 posted on 11/03/2004 5:08:04 PM PST by LurkedLongEnough
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To: flutters

Thanks for posting this.


16 posted on 11/03/2004 5:08:33 PM PST by GeorgeBerryman
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To: GeorgeBerryman
Why wasn't he out hunting down Osama bin laden?? He wasted time doing this while our boys are dieing??

/sarcasm

Glad we don't have to hear THAT crap any more. :)
17 posted on 11/03/2004 5:16:15 PM PST by Dubya-M-Dees
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To: John O; mhking; MeekOneGOP

Wow...

This is just amazing. Thank God we have a president who is a human being, who remembers those who are hurting, and doesn't do things for mere political gain.

We have heard similar stories from families who have lost their kids in Iraq, and how the President and his wife were so gracious, crying with them and caring for them.

I thank God for this man and his bride!


18 posted on 11/03/2004 5:23:51 PM PST by andie74 (W stands for Women)
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To: flutters

Ashley's Story was a real tear jerker also. It was a very simple story, that involved a kind jesture from the President, yet it touched my heart deeply and profoundly.


19 posted on 11/03/2004 5:24:56 PM PST by mel
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To: flutters

bump


20 posted on 11/03/2004 5:29:09 PM PST by KsSunflower
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