TIRANA, Feb 15 /ATA/ The US ambassador in our country, Yuri Kim, paid a visit to the Zena family in Merhoje, Belsh, where she learnt from one of its members, Mehmet, how his father, Dane, and grandfather, Maksut, sheltered 30 American nurses and doctors in 1943, when their plane crashed in Albania which was under the Nazi occupation.
Ambassador Kim expressed her gratitude to the Albanian people, as she recalled that code of honor and hospitality are two features that distinguish Albanians.
Kim also recalled the commitment of the Albanian government to shelter the Afghan citizens who fled the Taliban.
One of the things I have learned from my time in Albania : When an Albanian gives his or her word to protect you, you can count on it without doubt.
“Shtëpia e shqiptarit është e Zotit dhe e mikut.” According to the ancient Albanian Code of Honor (“Besa”), the house of an Albanian belongs to God and to the guest under his/her roof.
The world knows well how the Albanian people have given temporary refuge to thousands of Afghans fleeing the Taliban. In fact, Albania was the first country to volunteer to help. And more and more people are learning how regular Albanians protected Jews during World War II, becoming the only country in Europe that had more Jews at the end of World War II than at the outbreak (ten times more!).
But I wish more people, especially Americans, would hear how Albanian villagers helped 30 US nurses and medics in 1943, when their plane crashed in Nazi-controlled Albania. What a dramatic episode! Despite the risk to their own lives, villagers in Belsh, the area where the plane crashed, hid the Americans, taking them from house to house until they were able to escape. It was an honor to visit the home of the Zena family yesterday in Merhoje, Belsh, and hear from Mehmet about how his father, Dane, and grandfather Maskut, harbored the Americans for a month. The family even slaughtered a calf to feed their guests. Thanks to people like the Zenas, the Americans were able to make it out alive. May God bless the Albanian people for their code of honor and hospitality. We are grateful forever.
/sm/
