Guardsman, Carney Elementary Teacher Killed in Afghanistan

Protests in Afghanistan this weekend resulted in American casualties—among them a northeast Baltimore man who served in the Maryland National Guard, according to area news outlets.

Maj. Robert Marchanti, 48, a guardsman who also taught physical education at , was killed during a rash of protests stemming from an incident where United States soldiers burned copies of the Koran, a Muslim holy book, WBAL reported.

Marchanti is survived by his wife of 24 years and four adult children, according to WBAL.

Marchanti's daughter Leah described her father to WBAL's Sheldon Dutes in an interview.

"He was a strong, courageous, brave, loving man of God. He loved the Lord, and he loved my mom and he loved us. He would have done anything for us," she said.

CBS affiliate WJZ reported that the details of Marchanti's death are scant at this time.

"Saturday, two soldiers—a lieutenant colonel and a major—were shot inside what was supposed to be one of the most secure areas of a government ministry building. But the military has yet to confirm Marchanti was one of them," WJZ reported.

Marchanti's son, Aaron, told WJZ that his father was "... the best soldier that you could have been."

"“My father has been my idol, and he has been my hero. And I grew up trying to be just like him. And I hope and pray that I can be even 50 percent of what that man was,” he said.