A Poem: Colonel James Sabow, USMC (In Memorial)

Salem-News.com is honored to bring you this tribute by Luke Easter to a man who hasn't been forgotten for a single hour of the nineteen long years since the Marine Corps turned on him.

Colonel James Sabow was a Harrier pilot in the Marine Corps

(LOS ANGELES) - The tragic story of Marine Colonel James Sabow involves infuriating tragedy, silent yet overwhelming evidence, and immense, growing dedication. His death 19 years ago ridiculously deemed a suicide, was a Murder.

His brother is a physician; Dr. David Sabow knew almost from the beginning that something was terribly wrong with the investigation.

He learned from other Marines that his brother Jim had gotten wind of continuing Nicaraguan drug running operations that were offloading at his base, MCAS El Toro, and this Colonel and fighter pilot was bringing the hammer down because, regardless of the clandestine setting, the weapons for drugs program to aid the Contras was illegal under U.S. law.

There are those who go far in life, executing every move with precision and focused goals. This too is the story of Jim Sabow, father, husband, brother, fighter pilot and leader of Marines.

His life was snuffed out and dead men tell no tales, or do they? It seems that an invisible hand is playing a role in this game. People in office today know about this; they know what happened, and they know Jim Sabow was murdered to silence him.

Salem-News.com is honored to bring you this tribute by Luke Easter to a man who hasn't been forgotten for a single hour of the nineteen long years since the Marine Corps turned on him.

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An Ode to Colonel James Sabow, USMC

Murder is without a doubt a very extreme, coldhearted, cowardly deed,
So, it usually deals with jealously, selfishness, immorality and/or greed,
Here's a death planned by criminal masterminds of the highest degree,
That of Colonel James Sabow, “USMC.”

General David Shuter stated at his eulogy a man, “without compromise,”
Oh no doubt it made the good colonel expendable in the enemy’s eyes,
However, what makes this chilling assignation is that stunning surprise,
“Straightest of Straight Arrows, ” was claimed to have committed suicide.

Forensic evidence supports murder of this brave officer in the year 1991,
Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, Ca., when an investigation was done,
OK, but done by whom because solid clues point to a suspicious demise,
Done in sunny California, autopsy’s tough with sunglasses over your eyes.

Shootings have their own distinct characteristics & this one is not immune,
Type of weapon, make of the caliber, time of day, location, January or June,
Knowing a shotgun that caused the death leaked GSR yet none was found,
On the colonel’s hands or clothes, the medical examiner is Bozo the Clown?

Really? There is proof of cocaine being smuggled on former military ships?
Support the Nicaragua Contra-War? You know what’s said about loose lips,
Orange County Coroner ruled suicide before an investigation was complete,
A chilly January 22 in his quarters on a Marine Corps base, nice and neat.

Many subsequent independent experts have concluded, assured foul play,
The U.S. Navy & DOD continue to stand firm on, No! ” it didn’t occur that way,
Dr. David Sabow, a South Dakota neurologist has carried this fight 20 years,
Not quite but it will be for he has no thought of quitting to remove the smear.

And restore the good colonel’s honor rightly deserved & patriotically earned,
Dollars in legal fees, private investigators, own time, energy, truth to be learned,
Ha, no matter that our own government vehemently resists him at every turn,
Eagles on a highly decorated Marine’s lapel will not allow him to crash & burn.

This brother-friend of the hero is now in failing health but he does not care,
Amidst odds of high improbability he continues fighting from his wheelchair,
If only Cain had loved Able like that, there would not be cause for this write,
The purest form of brotherly love ignores their needs continuing to sacrifice.

Hard to imagine weapons-& drug-smuggling activities at a U.S. military base,
But not hard to imagine the calculated demise of a hero officer to save face,
Many glowing “fitness reports” even by general’s during his almost 30 years,
221 combat missions,15 Air Medals, Bronze Star with Combat “V” and no fear.

The biggest question, why in the hell would this proud father of two take his life?
Leave without rhyme, reason and comforting answers to Sally his loving wife,
James never turned down an assignment, Ooh-Rah Brave Colonel, Semper-If,
For the pride and decency of your country and morals, Sabow you had to die.

How many crooked hands high above yours were immersed in the illegal pie,
Could be alive today officer, “I know, I know, but Jim, it would only be one lie,”
Say that again, “one lie is all it takes to destroy 29+ years of hard earned work,”
“Yeah that’s true however, it was only you and your family who have been hurt.”

Personally, I’m surprised at the incompetence & excuses by the NCIS of the Navy,
Obviously they only do good police work with Mark Harmon @ 8 P.M., on my TV,
A battle only temporarily lost because the war of Armageddon will soon be done,
Besides, who has the right to question the Father why He called home His son.

Rest assured beyond are deepest thought the Creator has many, many reasons,
Some are here only to assist heaven's kingdom growth, in very limited seasons,
Although there is an abundance of earthly leaders we still only have 1 real King,
I heard God say, 'Colonel, it's just for you to pilot, My fastest bolt of lightning.'

by Luke Easter & Tim King

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Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com