FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Dec. 28, 2009) – Five Army Special Operations Soldiers are among a select group of Soldiers who will be paired with more than 90 of the nation’s top high school football players at the upcoming U.S. Army All American Bowl, Jan. 5-9, at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Representing the U.S. Army Special Operations Command are:

* Sgt. 1st Class Andrew D. Lane, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell, Ky. Lane, native of Sellersburg, Ind., serves as a Special Forces medical sergeant. He has served 15 years in the military, deploying twice. For Sgt. 1st Class Lane’s bio, click here.

* Staff Sgt. Shawn Barber, Headquarters Support Comp., 9th Psychological Operations Bn., 4th Psychological Operations Group, Fort Bragg, N.C. Barber, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., serves as the battalion tasking sergeant. He has served nine years in the Army, deploying five times. For Staff Sgt. Barber’s bio, click here.

* Staff Sgt. Alfredo De Los Santos, Comp. A, 98th Civil Affairs Bn., 95th CA Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C. De Los Santos, a native of Manhattan, N.Y., serves as a civil affairs sergeant. He has more than six years of service and deployed twice. During his deployment to Afghanistan, De Los Santos was manning a .50-caliber machine gun turret in a vehicle when it was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. As a result of the attack, De Los Santos lost his right leg. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his actions. For Staff Sgt. De Los Santos’ bio, click here.

* Staff Sgt. Joshua D. Horsager, Comp. D, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga. Horsager is a native of Valley City, N.D., and serves as the battalion’s noncommissioned officer in charge. He has served 10 years in the Army and has deployed three times. For Staff Sgt. Horsager’s bio, click here.

* Staff Sgt. Brent E. McKellips, Comp. D, 1st Bn., 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (A), Fort Campbell, Ky. McKellips, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., serves as a crew chief on a MH-60K Black Hawk helicopter. He deployed 21 times in nine years of military service. For Staff Sgt. McKellip’s bio, click here.

In addition to showcasing the nation’s top high school football players, the All American Bowl honors Soldiers who were awarded Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star or Purple Heart medals while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. According to goarmy.com, these heroes are connected to the high school students through their characteristics of an Army Strong Soldier – demonstrating strength through loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

ARSOF Soldiers will also be featured at the Army Strong Zone to answer the public’s questions about their Army careers and Army Special Operations. The Army Strong Zone is a 129,000-square-foot interactive display area outside the Alamodome.

The All American Bowl, one of the nation’s premiere high school athletic events, features a week of activities capped by the 10th Anniversary game on Jan. 9 at the Alamodome. In addition to more than 400 NCAA athletes, the game has more than 90 alumni currently playing in the NFL. The annual classic East vs. West match-up will be televised live on NBC at 1 p.m. EST.

Soldiers participate in a multitude of All American Bowl game-week activities such as a welcome barbecue, a player/Soldier skill contest, and an awards dinner before the game.

The All American Bowl has been a launching pad for college and NFL stars such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Tim Tebow and Terrelle Pryor, as well as a platform to share the their Army experiences for Soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers of the Year.

U.S. Army Special Operations Command