A Canadian flag rippled softly in the calm breeze. The passengers, each deep in their own thoughts, stared silently out the windows. Lost in the moment, I could visualize the sights and sounds of war. Suddenly an unexpected wave of emotion swept over me.

I felt immense sadness for those men who never returned home to Canadian soil, but at the same time my heart swelled against my chest with an enormous sense of pride. Tears swelled up in my eyes. I was embarrassed by my uncontrolled reaction. As I turned around I realized that each of my friends had experienced the same feelings, their eyes . We smiled knowingly at each other not speaking a word, our eyes rich with understanding.

I had travelled all this way to appreciate what it means to be Canadian. For twelve years, my church has participated in the Appalachia Service Project. One week each summer, volunteers travel to Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia or West Virginia to repair or build homes for families.

At the age of sixteen, I went on my first volunteer project in West Virginia. On the night we arrived,