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.
ugh, that's a tough one to read...we are blessed to have this man as our President.
and the beauty of it is, Bush does this sort of thin all the time, and we almost never hear about it because he does so quietly, modestly, meekly, without the fanfare a Clinton or a Kerry would demand.
Yes, he doesn't do it for the press, he does it because he really cares. Note that all of the stories like this are not released by the White House - they come from the people who are so touched that they tell the rest of the world!
yep.
If anything could convert me to active Christianity, it is this humble man's example.
Praise God for compassion in high places
Is it possible to love someone this much that you've never met before. I dearly love the President, and I mean that.
I confess to having a large warm spot for the man in my heart, yes.
It is possible- and I know a bunch of us around here that will join you in saying- we really love president bush. He is a wonderful example of christ's love in so many ways. And he's is our President!!
Proof that god gives us things we don't deserve.
that just shows the deep conviction that our president has for the people of the country... all politics aside, this is a man that I respect.
Wow. Just wow.
He couldn't have known unless Mr Ellis let the White House know OR President Bush had someone keeping tabs on Mrs Ellis. I'm betting on the latter. He would want to be kept advised as to her condition. Our President Bush has such a good heart.
bump
(agree with the klenex alert)
:::wiping tears:::
How could this man *not* get re-elected?
We are truly blessed.
Thank you for the ping ((((AGYG))))
This is the thing that goes right past the MSM, DNC, MM, etc. Upon learning of this man's loss, regardless of his "station in life", George would have called him and kept him in his prayers.
The dark side just can't fathom a person who just is who he is.
Oops, thanks for the ping. See #55.
Are you sure this isn't a story about Michael Moore calling to console someone? I always thought he was the paragon of compassion, I mean when he isn't shoving doughnuts down his mouth.
That is exactly the point. It is not an isolated event for Bush, I have heard several other similar stories and it makes me want to give Bush a very wide berth before I ever criticize him on those few times I disagree. His humanity is terribly important and that is why I know he would not risk soldiers in harm's way if he can avoid doing so. People who worry about soldiers lost in Iraq should also think about how many more soldiers we might have lost in 2006 or 2007 if we had waited for Saddam to become stronger and then he invaded Kuwait again or somewhere else.
Thanks for the ping, taking it over to share with the Guild.
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