By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Albania's President has honored nine Americans--including one Alabamian. The nine were killed when their C-130 transport plane crashed in Albania in March during a joint night exercise. A ceremony was held at the Albanian army's Command of Doctrine in Tirana to honor First Lieutenant Ray Owens Junior of Birmingham and eight others. President Alfred Moisiu awarded the nine the Medal of Gratitude posthumously. Moisiu says it's a sublime act when soldiers give their lives to the service of the military cooperation between Albania and the United States.