ZELIENOPLE — Tom and Marie Grant found the people of Kosovo greatly appreciate the United States.

The Zelienople couple went to the southeast European country as part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange program from July 6 to 16.

“They are so grateful and thankful,” Tom Grant said of the people in Kosovo.

The couple decided to stay in Gjakova, Kosovo, for 10 days after learning that the former district governor of the Rotary Western Pennsylvania district, Ruhzdi Bakalli, was from the country. He also is a former member of the Kosovar legislature.

The Grants also hosted a Kosovar family in June.

The couple has traveled around the world, visiting all seven continents. However, this was their first trip to Kosovo.

“It’s a country I had never even thought about visiting,” Tom Grant said. “So when the opportunity came up, we just said, ‘Hey, let’s do it.’”

The Grants and nine other Rotarians from Zelienople, Butler, Slippery Rock, Kittanning and Warren went on the trip.

While there, the Grants visited three Rotary Clubs, museums and schools.

Describing a Rotary Club meeting, Tom Grant said, “The meeting started with our national anthem and then a young woman carried our flag out and put in a stand by the podium.

“Then they played the Kosovar national anthem and they brought out their flag and put them together.”

Marie Grant said, “We knew we were going to be very warmly welcomed. We knew how much all of these people love the United States.”

Having both flags beside each other is common in Kosovo. A U.S. embassy was established soon after Kosovo’s 2008 independence.

The 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report said 87 percent of Kosovo citizens support the United States, the highest rating for any country in Europe.

Other homages of appreciation for the U.S. include a statue of former President Bill Clinton at the capital building in Pristina and streets named after Clinton and former President George W. Bush.

“The warmth of the people is the most outstanding thing,” Marie Grant said.

Another place they visited was a cemetery memorializing about 500 victims from Serb attacks during the Kosovo War in the late 1990s.

Friends of the exchange family said they knew most of the victims.

“I worked in the VA with vets, and I have such a sense of concern for them with post-traumatic stress disorder and just the pain they’ve experienced,” Marie Grant said.

The Grants described the country outside the capital as having many small villages, scattered houses, some unfinished and empty buildings and open fields.

“They ran out of money,” Tom Grant said. “I read that about half the population (in Kosovo) lives in poverty. It’s a country that’s going to need a lot help.”

They also visited the neighboring country of Albania.

Tom Grant was a teacher in Montgomery County near Philadelphia. Marie Grant is a psychologist. Both are members of the Zelienople Rotary Club, where Tom is president.

“Tom’s life has been dedicated to educating people,” Marie Grant said. “He’s always tried to help people from other countries get to know each other.”

After returning from Kosovo, the Grants said the Zelienople club now has a “twin club” relationship with the Gjakova club.

“We’ll be working together on international projects and stay in touch,” Tom Grant said.

The couple said the best part about the international exchange program is that it “creates understanding.”

“It really helps people understand the international part of Rotary,” Marie Grant said.