ELKINS -- "I truly don't have words that can express how thankful I am and the Navy is for what everyone in this room, and those who couldn't make it in today, have done for all 17 of our crew to get them off that mountain," said Captain Steven Schreiber, with the US Navy.

A few weeks ago, a U.S. Navy helicopter on its way from Virginia to Camp Dawson in Preston County crashed in a remote part of Pocahontas County with 17 people on board.

"Training kicked in and we just kept doing what we knew had to be done - building a fire, getting in touch with rescue units, doing triage for everyone we could," said Lieutenant Matthew McClure, the helicopter's pilot.

Getting to the helicopter was difficult:

"It was waist deep. It was a painful experience. It was cold, the snow was deep," said Sergeant Herby Barlow, with the West Virginia State Police and Shavers Fork Fire Department.

But rescuers braved the rugged, snowy conditions and saved everyone on board.

"I can say I'm here today because of all the people in this room. I've never been more thankful in my life for the help that they've provided," said Kenneth Martin, the helicopter's crew chief.

On Wednesday, the Navy honored everyone involved in the rescue.

The West Virginia National Guard and Civil Air Patrol, the Pocahontas and Randolph County first responders, local fire departments, and the West Virginia State Police were among those honored. They received a picture of the helicopter signed by its crew, a plaque and special coins.

"The medics that were lowered down to the firemen that trenched up the mountain for an hour and a half to get to us. Everybody did their jobs exactly how they were supposed to be done," said Martin.

"There is no better neighbor than a West Virginian," said Lt. McClure.

The Navy said it's still investigating the cause of the crash.

Of the 17 crew members and passengers on board the helicopter, only two remain in the hospital and the Navy says it expects them to make a full recovery.