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In attendance were distinguished visitors: Dean Thompson, U.S. ambassador to Nepal; Maj. Gen. Brian Wolford, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific; and Maj. Gen. Kiran K. C., inspector general of the Nepali Army. “In April 2022, Nepal was struck by a catastrophic earthquake, one of the deadliest in history,” said Thompson. “Amid the rubble, suffering, and uncertainty, the people of Nepal showed extraordinary resilience. In solidarity, the international community responded.” Operation Sahayogi Haat was a joint-relief effort led by various units in the U.S. Armed Forces in response to the two earthquakes that devastated central Nepal on April 25 and May 12, 2015. Marines with Marine Corps Installations Pacific Combat Camera and HMLA 469 were augmented to Joint Task Force 505, where approximately 900 U.S. service members responded to the request for aid. During the second earthquake on May 12, 2015, Vengeance 01, a UH-1Y helicopter with HMLA 469, disappeared while delivering humanitarian aid. The aircraft was later found downed in Charikot, Nepal, east of Kathmandu. On board were six U.S. Marines, two Nepali Army officers and five Nepali civilians. Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Hug, MCIPAC Combat Camera Sgt. Ward M. Johnson IV, HMLA 469 Mr. Lok Bahadur Katawai Chhetri Mrs. Sabitri Khadka Siwakotl Mr. Yam Bahadur Khatri Mr. Sain Dhoj Khatri Mr. Dhruba Kumar KC Capt. Dustin R. Lukasiewicz, HMLA 469 Cpl. Sara A. Medina, MCIPAC Combat Camera Capt. Christopher L. Norgen, HMLA 469 Maj. Tapendra Rawal, Nepali Army Sgt. Eric M. Seaman, HMLA 469 Warrant Officer 1 Basanta Titara, Nepali Army “These American and Nepali service members, along with brave civilians, worked side by side delivering vital aid to remote communities, reaching those who had been caught by the landslides and wreckage,” said Thompson. “Today, we remember them, not only as service members and citizens, but as sons and daughters, friends, and family. Their sacrifice was not in vain. It lived on in every life saved, in every home rebuilt, and in the strength of the bond between the United States and Nepal.” During the ceremony, a detail of two Marines accompanied by the distinguished visitors each layed a Gerbera Daisy flower wreath at the Eternal Flame and Vengeance 01 Memorials followed by a memorial-wide salute, a bugle call, and a moment of silence. To conclude the ceremony, a marble plaque created by the Marine Security Guard Detachment Kathmandu was presented to the Nepali Army to memorialize all who gave their lives aboard Vengeance 01. “What this really demonstrates is that the power of two friends, two militaries, can do together to help those in need. It’s always amazing to me how much we’re going to sacrifice for our brothers and sisters,” said Wolford. “Today, the environment is a strength of humanity and power that we have had in times of crisis. We all need to remember what they did and what their memory does for us to be stronger as we help each other.” After the ceremony, Marines introduced themselves and spoke with the family members that survived Rawal and Titara. All attendees shared Nepalese tea and other refreshments, and as a parting memory, Marines from HMLA 169, presented the family members with HMLA 469 unit patches. “In remembering their courage, we renew our commitment to compassion, partnership, and peace. We honor them by standing together as they do, for the world needs helping hands,” said Thompson. “May we never forget their service. May the memories inspire future generations. May they forever rest in peace.”