Coach's Corner in Kandahar

Former Bruin Rick Smith on his recent visit to Afghanistan:

Another memorable moment for Smith was watching Coach's Corner at 4 o'clock one morning in a tent full of ping-pong tables, table hockey games and sleepy-eyed soldiers.

"Midway during the game, [Chief of Defence, Lt-Gen.] Rick Hillier sat down beside me, and we watched the game together."

Smith said Hillier often referred to his soldiers as "national treasures." "The more I heard it and the more time went by, the more I came to recognize that he's absolutely right."

Smith said he thinks most people in Canada don't appreciate the hard work and sacrifice troops make every day. Before the trip, he said he was one of those people.