A TOUCHING memorial service has honoured the lives of the three United States firefighters who died when their aircraft crashed at Peak View in January 2020.

Four years on from the fatal accident, a new memorial has been unveiled in Cooma.

The memorial features part of the aircraft’s propeller and plaques detailing the lives and careers of the aircrew – Captain Ian McBeth, First Officer Paul Hudson, and Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan Jr.

Located at the Southern Cloud Memorial site on Cooma’s main street, the memorial for Bomber 134 (the aircraft’s call sign) remembers the sacrifices of the men and allows the community to honour their contributions.

Bomber-134 crashed while defending the Peak View community from the Good Good Fire on January 23, 2020.

The new memorial is a joint Cooma Lions Club and Cooma Rotary Club initiative.

At the service, former Air Attaché at the US Embassy and close friend of Ian McBeth, Drew Cunnar, spoke of the men’s bravery and lasting connection with the Snowy Monaro region.

“When I look into the crowd, I see a lot of friendly faces. These are the friendships borne out of tragedy,” Mr Cunnar said.

“Ian and I were in flight school together, and we had a great competition. I have so much respect for him and his family.”

Cooma Rotary President Glenys Maddren said the memorial will help the community remember the men and allow locals to reflect on the region’s spirit when fighting each of the bushfires that burnt in the Snowy Monaro during the summer of 2019/20.

“The blade points directly to the crash site in Peak View. It is truly humbling to share a space in time with those who are truly selfless,” Mrs Maddren said.

“We honour the selflessness these three men embodied.

“For these men, we were part of their community. To this we are truly grateful, they were life savers and heroes.”

Attending the Cooma service last week were the current and former Air Attaches to the US Embassy, emergency service personnel, members of the region’s community organisations, Snowy Monaro mayor Chris Hanna, deputy mayor Tanya Higgins, and councillor Tricia Hopkins.

Mayor Hanna thanked the Cooma Lions and Rotary clubs for their efforts in seeing the memorial come to fruition.

"The memory of this tragic day still weighs very heavy in our hearts," Cr Hanna said.

"This plaque joins others across the Snowy Monaro to remember the men's sacrifice. I extend the community's thanks to the Lions and Rotary clubs of Cooma for their shared efforts in making sure Ian, Paul and Rick will never be forgotten."