US Embassy in Kathmandu on Friday hosted a memorial dedication service to pay tribute to six US Marines, two Nepal Army soldiers and five Nepali civilians who lost their lives in the UH-1 Huey helicopter crash on May 12. On the occasion, a memorial plaque for the victims was placed at the Phora Durbar American Compound, which served as the home base for the Marines, other US military personnel and urban search and rescue teams after the devastating April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks.

According to a US Embassy statement, Chargé d’Affaires John L Carwile said that the tragedy would forever serve as a reminder of the two nations’ collaboration for almost 70 years. “We came together in Nepal’s hour of need, and will continue to stand with one another as this nation recovers and rebuilds. This memorial plaque will always remind us that together, our two countries can accomplish great things,” the statement quoted him as saying.