Posted on 11/04/2004 5:05:14 PM PST by Saeder
President Calls Man After Wife's Death
POSTED: 5:00 pm EST November 3, 2004 UPDATED: 8:12 pm EST November 3, 2004
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.
This is not an isolated event for Bush. He does this all the time-purely out of the goodness that is in his heart.
We have all read stories here of others W has touched.
God blessed this country in 2000 and He has blessed us again.
WOW is right.
LUV YA DUBYA!!!!! I truly love this president.
I don't remember who it was yesterday in giving an analysis of why President Bush won stated that his base REALLY loved him. Yes we do, and this is why.
God bless President Bush.
MORAL VALUES!
Yes. And it is worth pointing out that this is revealed AFTER the election. There was no attempt to score political points with this man's grief.
Don't miss this.
Boy am I glad we get to have President Bush another 4 YEARS!!
Many people can tell stories of this kind. Its the kind of man that Bush is, and especially telling is the fact that they are never publicized by Bush, never made into photo ops. They are heartfelt, sincere portraits of our President and the size of heart within him.
Thank you God for blessing us with this great man to lead us four more years.
He is a real man, doing what good people do when they hear of someone's loss. The fact that he is the most powerful man in the world has not changed him a bit.
He embodies the word compassion.
Thank you Saeder, SO MUCH, for posting this very touching story. I lost my very sweet, self-less little sister a year ago to brain cancer after years of very hard battles. That our great President and our glorious First Lady kept this loving man and his wife in their daily thoughts and prayers is one of the most deeply touching things for me to think about. God bless and keep our heaven-sent great leader and I pray daily for him and his family. I love George W. Bush with all my heart.
Can't be. I just heard Bill Press complaining that George Bush isn't compassionate.
Surely Press can't be wrong.
May God bless President Bush for the next four years. He truly has compassion.
Perhaps Bush could console Kerry by telling him about the fabulous12-step program for people adicted to Liberalism. Those that have been cured say they now feel wonderful.
LOL!!! and what would that one person's name be?
The measure of this man has been taken, and we do not find him wanting.
Reagan did this sort of thing, didn't he?
He carries the weight of the nation (and much of the world) upon his shoulders, and still makes time for individuals. I love him.
I daresay my love for him is growing as strong as my love for Ronald Reagan.
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