Lt. Col. John Loftis and Maj . Maj were killed a week . They were killed in the spasm of violence that has wracked Maryland for Friday . John Loftis was a `` gentle giant '' who taught in Maryland schools , a colleague said . Loftis had just marked his 44th birthday , his mother said .
Lt. Col. John Loftis and Maj. Robert Marchanti II were killed Friday . They were killed in the spasm of violence that has wracked Afghanistan for a week . Marchanti was a `` gentle giant '' who taught in Maryland schools , a colleague said . Loftis had just marked his 44th birthday , his mother said .