Flags Lowered to Honour Soldier with Island Connections

Premier Pat Binns directed that flags at all provincial government properties be staged at half-mast in honour of a Canadian soldier with Prince Edward Island connections killed in Afghanistan over the weekend.

Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish, of the first battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment based at CFB Petawawa, was raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, but has relatives living in Prince Edward Island.

Mellish and four other Canadians were killed during a 24 hour period in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar.

“It is important that Islanders continue to support our Canadian soldiers and their families,” said Premier Binns.

The Government of Prince Edward Island, like other Canadian provinces, has a policy to lower flags when an Island soldier or a soldier with direct Island connections is killed in action.