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.
You didn't put the Kleenex alert after the title!
WOW
ping
My God, what can you say?
If ever there was doubt as to what kind of man our President is......
Beautiful. I've got such a lump in my throat. What a good man, and God bless that family.
Darn screen went blurry again.....
Oh wow - that's a tear-jerker. Sounds like one of those Ronald Reagan stories. What a guy.
Wow. Choking back tears.
not to be insensitive at this touching moment, but i wonder if bush called kerry to console him over his personal loss.....
"Ellis said he feels that compassion is one of the most important traits a leader can possess."
Compassion is what all too many of our leaders today LACK. When you lead from a genuine heart of compassion, people understand it and WILL follow you anywhere.
That's George.
What a wonderful man we have elected, tears
Instead of the "barf alert" this story needs a "tissue alert". Part of the reason why I love this president.
Tears!
I love this man!
Hellfire, that creep hasn't even apologized to his neighbors in Boston for all the crap they've had to put up with during this campaign.
Great post! It always good to get reaffirmation that your vote went to the good and decent man!
May God watch over our President!
Another insight into our President's character telling us we were not wrong to elect him as our leader. Thanks for posting this - however Mr. Ellis' pain was almost too much to bear - tears drying on these cheeks. God bless him.
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