The gifts were provided through funds raised by the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Florida Army National Guard members, inspired from the story of one of the brigade’s generals, who has a child with special abilities in his family, encouraging sensitivity of his colleagues towards this community.

After being welcomed by the school principal Mahmut Ajazi, members of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team initially visited the school premises and entertained at the traditional songs and dances performed by the schoolchildren and then were awarded a certificate of gratitude.

The civil operations officer of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Florida National Guard, Talal Tassi said in an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) that Albanians are very generous and welcoming. He said that the event was a contribution provided by all members of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team for the children with special abilities.

“One of our generals has a child with special abilities and our sensitiveness in this respect is very high. That’s why we raised some funds and bought these symbolic gifts,” he told ATA.

Tassi said that the US-led Defender Europe ’21 military exercise represented an opportunity to exchange experience with the Albanian servicemen and troops from other partner countries.

“We can all learn from one another. When an army trains in a country outside its borders, this is an opportunity to learn about this other country, its army and experience. This strengthens interoperability during the military operations,” he said.

Tassi had also learned few words in Albanian. “I love Albania and I am looking forward to visiting the country as a tourist. Albania is home to amazing tourist destinations and it has amazing food,” Tassi said.

Alban Bombaj, an Albanian-born soldier is part of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team of Florida National Guard for over 10 years.

“I was born in Kombinat neighbourhood in Tirana and we moved to Greece in 1993. I attended school in Greece and I lived in Athens until 2000 and then I moved to the United States of America. I was inspired by the U.S. Army when it intervened in Kosovo and I joined the army 11 years ago. I was lucky enough as NATO was seeking to hire soldiers who knew Albanian and join this NATO-led exercise here. The U.S. Army and the United States respect and support Albania and Kosovo more than anyone else,” Bombaj told ATA.

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