By John Gensler / Christian Science Monitor / April 9, 2010

Cambridge, Mass.

The Appalachian Mountains are the lungs of West Virginia. They are also the backbone of our nation’s most rugged state, imbuing our people, our culture, and our heritage with that same ruggedness of spirit that many identify as quintessentially American.

The mountains breathe life into our people, providing pristine vistas for spiritual renewal. For 150 years, they have given a bounty of coal that has helped fuel our nation and the world.

Generations of our sons (and recently, our daughters) have put their backs into the hard work of digging out that precious resource, and all too often have given their lives in order to provide their families with some measure of livelihood.

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