[LINK] "3 soldiers killed in Afghanistan"

[rfmcdonald]

This report comes from the Toronto Star.

The ever-present perils of southern Afghanistan's dusty, dangerous roads claimed the lives of three more Canadian soldiers today, pushing the death toll for Canada's military mission in this battle-bruised country to a tragic new benchmark.

Cpl. Mark Robert McLaren, Pte. Demetrios Diplaros and Warrant Officer Robert John Wilson all died when their armoured vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in the Arghandab district west of Kandahar city.

The ensuing blast heralded a milestone long feared and all but inevitable: 100 Canadian soldiers participating in the Afghan mission have been killed since the seven-year-old deployment began in 2002.

For Task Force Kandahar commander Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, however, Friday was no day for navel-gazing or second-guessing.

"Canada lost three fine soldiers today," Thompson said, Kandahar Airfield's marble cenotaph – home to the names of 97 other fallen Canadian troops – visible in the background.

"Already there is talk of numbers and milestones, but it is my hope that the focus remains on the lives and the sacrifices of these brave soldiers as they served Canada in the effort to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan."

All three Canadian casualties – members of the Operational Liason and Mentoring Team, which trains members of the Afghan National Army – were from the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ont., where Prime Minister Stephen Harper happened to be Friday.

He seemed close to tears as he offered his condolences – and admitted to often being at a loss for words whenever tragedy strikes those willing to give their lives in service of their country.

"It is because of them, now and throughout our history, that we are able to celebrate our Christmas in such peace and prosperity," Harper said.

"It is because of them that we have this wonderful country. It is their gift to us."

It's worth noting that this September, Harper promised to withdraw Canadian forces by 2011, practically without qualifications. I suppose that it's good to know that these hundred soldiers--and more--will have died for that great, noble cause.