'They haven't forgotten us': Former refugees meet Kosovo president

Eighteen years after fleeing the war in Kosovo,BeaRexhepimet the leader of the country she left behind in the place that first took her in.

Rexhepiand her family wereamong 5,000Kosovarrefugees who arrived in Canada in 1999. Like so many, their introduction to their new home was CFB Halifax.

It's where the family wasmet by military personnel before moving to temporary housing, and where, nearly two decades later, they metKosovo PresidentHashim Thai.

"I'm so happy, and I'm so proud of you coming and visiting us and seeing where we live, so thank you,"Rexhepitold Thaion Saturday.

From Macedonia to Halifax

The Rexhepifamily came toCanada somewhat on a whim.

They had spentsix long weeks at a refugee camp in Macedonia some of that time without a tent, which meant they slept inthe rain.

When the kids got sick, Rexhepi's husbandZeqirjamade anapplication to come to Canada, a move that worried his wifeat first because she didn't want to move so far from home.

Memories of those first days in Canada are still vivid for ArberRexhepi, whowas 11 at the time. Heremembers watching Disney movies with the other kids and eating lots and lots of food.

"I always remember Nanaimo bars," he said with a laugh. "I had Nanaimo bars there and for some reason I couldn't remember the name because I didn't really read the labels, and it took me agood like 18 years to figure out what they were."

Independentat last

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, and Canada was one of the first to recognizeit as its own country.

Thai, who is in Nova Scotia this weekend for the Halifax International Security Forum, said he wanted to visit the base to say thank you for what Canada did. His owncountry, he added, has changed a great deal since the late '90s.

"[It is]a free, independent country, a multi-ethnic society, equal society," Thaitold reportersthrough atranslator."It has come a long way."

Thai said he's proud of those like theRexhepis who've made new livesfor themselves.

"The emotions we felt here were both painful butalso emotions of pride and happiness to see that they have been integrated successfully in society and they live in pride, both for being Canadians but also for seeing Kosovo free and equal," he said.

'Haven't forgotten us'

The president isusing his visit to Nova Scotia to meetwith more members of the city's Albanian-Kosovar community.

A special gala has been planned for Saturday night at the Lord Nelson.

Ardian Hasanaj, president of the Albanian Canadian Association of Halifax, said the Kosovar community in the city issmall, but mighty.

Theyget together often to celebrate,and the associationruns a school on Saturdays to teach children the Albanian culture and language.

"We all live here but we haven't forgotten our first country,"said Hasanaj. "We feel great when they acknowledge us still, and they haven't forgotten for us."