This week I was really inspired by reading "The Ball Turret Gunner" by Randall Jarrell. This is a very inspiring poem, which highlights extraordinary men who fought during the second World War to protect America. People do not realize what it takes to be a six miles in the air, in a Plexiglas sphere at the under belly of either a B-17 or B-24. The ball turret is occupied by a small man in a tight space in the fetal position. This turret gunner was armed with two .50 caliber machine guns. and the trigger at each hand revolving the ball turret, shooting at the enemy. These men were exposed to the enemy with not much protection from .50 caliber and anti aircraft bullets flying in their direction. This poem is inspiring because these men were the true warriors of the sky. The poem describes these men as being stripped form their mothers and thrown into the hands of the State where they are considered just another soldier to fight and die. Recognizing what these warriors did is important because they sacrificed their lives for our freedom. The final line of the poem reads "When I died, they washed me out of the turret with a hose". Jarrell is conveying the message that these soldiers were considered to be just a number.

The dead solider would be washed out of the ball turret and another solider would replace the dead one. Innocent young men who lost their lives should always be recognized for their efforts. This poem is one of the most inspiring memories I've read, because its deep, and it puts us inside the ball turret with the dead soldier.