MILITARY OFFICIALS IDENTIFY THIRD CANADIAN KILLED ON WEEKEND

Canadian military officials have released the name of the third soldier killed during a massive anti-Taliban operation in Afghanistan on the weekend.

Sgt. Shane Stachnik of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, based at CFB Petawawa, Ont., was one of four Canadians killed Sunday during a fierce battle with Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan, officials said on Monday. His age and hometown were not released.

The names of two other soldiers who died were made public on Sunday, while the family of the fourth soldier has asked that the name be withheld.

Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish and Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan were both members of the 1st Batallion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa.

Mellish, who grew up on Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, was married with two young children.

Nolan was from Newfoundland and leaves behind his common-law partner Kelly, also a soldier in Afghanistan, along with three school-aged sons and teenaged stepdaughter.

Six other members of the Canadian military were wounded in Sunday's ground assault.

Base struggles to cope with losses

As CFB Petawawa struggled to cope with the loss of three members of its community, they learned of another Canadian death on Monday — the fifth in less than 24 hours.
A Canadian soldier was killed when two U.S. jets mistakenly fired on a Canadian platoon during the same anti-Taliban battle, Operation Medusa. The soldier has not been identified.
Soldiers from Petawawa make up the bulk of the roughly 2,300 Canadians serving in Afghanistan.

Joseph Johns, a chaplain at CFB Petawawa, said soldiers who go to Afghanistan know the dangers they face.

"Since 9/11, those of us who wear the uniform understand that we have a very special responsibility to the country and to the endeavours of our government, especially with regard to maintaining freedom in the world," said Johns.

"That comes with a price."

Last Updated Mon, 04 Sep 2006 20:51:55 EDT
CBC News