U.S., Nepal celebrate PACANGEL opening ceremony Published Sept. 11, 2014 By Pacific Angel - Nepal Public Affairs CHITWAN, Nepal -- Nearly 700 local men, women and children lined up outside the gates of Shree Rastriya Rotary Secondary School in Manahari for day one of Operation Pacific Angel - Nepal. U.S. and Nepalese service members came together alongside regional partners to celebrate the opening ceremony, which featured a traditional Nepalese lamp lighting and ribbon cutting that was presided over by Nepal Army Maj. Gen. Baldev Mahat. "I want to thank everyone for their selfless service to the people of Nepal," Mahat said. This year, the U.S. and Nepal will conduct humanitarian assistance capacity building operations Sept. 8-13 in the various areas of the Chitwan region. In 2012, more than 4,000 local villagers in Pokhara, Nepal were given medical care in general medicine, optometry, dentistry, physical therapy, women's health and pediatrics. "We share a deep bond with our brothers and sisters here in Nepal," said Lt. Col. Marc Martinez, Operation Pacific Angel - Nepal mission commander. "It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be invited to work hand in hand with our Nepalese counterparts."