Altoona native builds relationships with Army

It's no secret that the U.S. Army All-American Bowl showcases some of the nation's best high school football talent each year.

Behind the scenes of the excitement, however, is a chance for the up-and-coming athletes, as well as the community, to connect with the Army and learn about all that it has to offer.

This year, the game took place on Jan. 6 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Foor, an Altoona native, has served in the Army for 25 years. He was among the many soldiers who represented the Army and served as mentors to the players, band members and community.

Foor graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1993, and he has fond memories of his roots.

"Altoona's school system was great," Foor said. "I loved high school, and I got myself qualified to go into the Army. It was a good structure as far as discipline and striving to do well, making sure I did everything to the best of my ability. It made me push myself."

He recalls his favorite teacher from Altoona as being Genevieve Berardinelli, his 11th grade chemistry teacher.

"She always stayed on my case and was constantly making sure I was doing the right thing and staying out of trouble," Foor said.

After graduation, Foor pursued a career with the Army, and since then has become a part of all that the Army does, including supporting the All-American Bowl.

"I'm with the Mission Support Battalion stationed out of Kentucky," he said. "Each year we go out to support (the bowl game). The biggest thing was being able to connect America's Army to America's people and being able to see the various opportunities and career paths the Army has for young men and women these days."

Leading up to the bowl game, the soldiers set up trucks outfitted with physical fitness equipment, virtual reality games and other things to showcase all that the Army has to offer.

"We sponsor and exhibit 14 assets that highlight aspects of Army life to the public," Company Com­mander Steven Kutz said. "We have semi trailers that show aviation and soldiering; Foor's (truck) showed the vehicle operation technology that the Army uses."

Foor's exhibit showcased a Mobile Usability Lab Exhibit.

"I would get on the truck when individuals would come on and would take them through and let them do the various things that were there," Foor said.

Foor's exhibit included a virtual reality slingshot game, a virtual reality video that allowed participants to simulate jumping out of an Army airplane and a distracted drivers trainer, where people could choose to simulate texting while driving or drunk driving and see the consequences.

"He had about 250 people come through his exhibit," Kutz said. "He showed 250 individuals the technology that the Army uses."

Foor's work ethic and leadership allowed him to experience success in his mission at the All-American Bowl.

"Foor is results-oriented but is people focused," Kutz said. "The key to any leadership is people and the people that work for you, and the people that you work for and the people you work with. Foor recognizes that. That said, he won't stop until the mission is complete."

The All-American Bowl also offers the Army a chance to work with high school students who are among the best in the nation at what they do.

"These kids are the top within the nation as far as the football players and the band members," Foor said. "We want the best and the brightest for today's Army."

Those involved believe that the soldiers' exhibits showed a side to the Army that the public doesn't always get to witness.

"What we try to do is show the American people that the Army is for smart people and is full of very intelligent people doing a very high-tech job," Kutz said.

Foor also saw the value in the chance to share his own experience with the young people with whom he interacted.

"(Being involved in the community gives me) the opportunity to interact with individuals, talk to them about my Army story and tell them what the Army has allowed me to do in life and the opportunities it has provided me," Foor said.

Working at the All-American Bowl gave Foor a chance to impact those around him by sharing his love for what he does.

"Foor is a very relatable person," Kutz said. "Foor is going to find something in common with you and he is going to build a relationship on that -- all in about 90 seconds."

Like many of the soldiers, Foor is an inspiration to the young people he works with.

"He's an amazing American," Kutz said. "He was a normal kid. Any kid could be like him in 20-25 years if they choose to do the right thing every day."

THE FOOR FILE

Name: Michael Foor

Age: 43

Residence: Hopkinsville, Kentucky

Education: Graduated from Altoona Area High School in 1993

Family: Mother, Susan Rogers; stepfather, James Rogers (both of Altoona); wife, Cathy; son, Daniel; stepdaughter, Stephanie

Job: Sergeant First Class; team chief exhibitor