Flags Lowered In Md. In Memory Of National Guard Major

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has ordered that the United States and state flags be flown at half-staff in memory of a Maryland Army National Guard major killed in a heavily guarded government building in Afghanistan.

O'Malley ordered flags lowered on Tuesday from sunrise to sunset in memory of Maj. Robert J. Marchanti II. The 48-year-old major and a colleague were killed last month in an attack at the Interior Ministry in Kabul. The Taliban has claimed responsibility, calling the killings retaliation for the burning of Qurans at a U.S. base.

Marchanti will be buried Tuesday with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. State police warn that a 5 a.m. procession from Parkville may affect traffic on Interstate 95, the Baltimore and Capital beltways and the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)