Andrew Castro A local family and the Westlake High School football program are mourning the loss of former linebacker Andrew Jordan “A.J.” Castro.

The 20-year-old 2008 Westlake High graduate and U.S. Army specialist with the 101st Airborne Division was one of two soldiers killed Aug. 28 in a land mine explosion in Afghanistan.

“A.J. was one of the best our society had to offer,” said Westlake High School head football coach Jim Benkert. “He made positive choices in his life; it’s just a tragedy to lose him.”

The men were in a small village when the Taliban struck, said Hector Castro, A.J.’s father.

“They were running to help a group of soldiers being attacked, and when they ran toward them, the soldier with A.J. stepped on a land mine that killed them both,” Castro said.

A.J. Castro, who was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., had been in Afghanistan for about three weeks. He was deployed about three days after his brother Ryan returned from Iraq. Ryan Castro is a sergeant with the U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.

Hector Castro said that at first he didn’t want his sons to join the military, but he learned to respect their desire to serve their country.

“It is in their heart. They wanted to do something that is important,” Castro said, adding that A.J. was a defender of people.

“Even in elementary school, A.J. made sure that bullies wouldn’t beat up on little kids. That’s what he died doing, protecting people. I finally came to the realization that he was doing what he felt he was meant to do,” the elder Castro said.

A.J. Castro and his two brothers, Steven, 27, and Ryan, 25, played football for the Warriors. Hector Castro volunteered for the Westlake High School football program for 17 years. He’s still involved with the local youth football team, the Braves.

The elder Castro was at a Chili’s Grill & Bar with other coaches Saturday evening after a Warrior scrimmage when a military chaplain and soldier accompanied by Steven Castro of Oak Park came to the restaurant.

“Words can’t describe the sadness that was involved in this situation,” Benkert said.

On Sunday, Castro and his exwife, Carmen Roman, and son Ryan traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to meet A.J.’s casket.

Castro lives in Winnetka. Roman is a Westlake Village resident.

Meanwhile, coaches, staff and students at Westlake High set up a small memorial on campus.

A.J. Castro is the second Westlake High football player to die in Afghanistan in the past two years. In March 2009, former homecoming king and Westlake football player Frankie Toner, 26, a Navy lieutenant, died during a tour of duty in the war-torn country.

The family will host a memorial service at St. Jude Catholic Church in Westlake Village. The burial will take place at Pierce Brothers Mortuary. No times have been announced.

The local solider was among 49 U.S. troops who died in August attacks in Afghanistan’s southern and eastern regions.

About four days before his death, A.J. Castro sent a message to his father. “He told me that he’s doing what he loves to do; that gave me a lot of peace,” Hector Castro said. As he prepared to bury his youngest son, Hector Castro said he’s grateful for the support he’s received. “It warms the heart; I want to thank everybody for that,” he said.