WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (Sep. 1, 2015) -- When Fred Clas turned out his office lights and slowly drove out the Arsenal gate one last time en route to his retirement in 1985, many probably thought that after 45 years of service Clas had seen his last days here…but they would be wrong.
Now, at 93, Clas' passion for and understanding of the Arsenal would be hard to challenge.
Due to a recent invite by Col. Lee H. Schiller Jr., the Arsenal commander, Clas visited here last week and what a visit it was.
"I'm almost embarrassed to provide you a command overview briefing," said Joe Turcotte, the Arsenal's deputy commander as he turned to the first slide of a briefing to Clas. "Although you have been retired for 30 years, you (Clas) were part of the Arsenal as we moved from battleship 16-inch guns to today's Abrams tanks."
In the midst of the briefing that brought Clas up to date on Arsenal manufacturing and Benét Laboratories' research and design programs, Clas stopped the briefing.
"My 45-year history here tells me that you will be called on to answer the bell (new conflict)," Clas said. "But I'm scared, and I don't scare easy, that you (Arsenal) may not have the capability to produce larger caliber weapons, such as the 175mm and 8-inch howitzers."
During Clas' 23-year tenure as the Director of Operations, production was very heavy on the larger caliber weapon systems. But since Clas retired, the Army's howitzer systems transitioned to 105mm and 155mm howitzer tubes as its standard for large caliber artillery.
Turcotte explained that there hasn't been any mission to produce those large caliber systems in more than 20 years and that there is no projection by the Army to restart any of those programs. There was also a discussion about the cost of maintaining a capability for a weapons program that no longer exists.
After a heavy discussion, Clas said that he had been told many times during his tenure to get rid of capability, which he refused to do. He said that the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam proved him right.
But Clas didn't come here for a briefing, he wanted to see production.
John Zayhowski, the Arsenal's apprentice program supervisor, provided escort of two main production centers.
"I can say that for the first time in my career here I will learn more from the visitor about production than I could ever provide," Zayhowski said when he learned that he was going to be the escort.
Several times during his tour, Clas' eyes lit up. Every time a worker stopped Clas' cart to shake his hand, one could feel a great sense of joy as if he was being welcomed home after a long journey.
The highlight of his time here was when he had a dialogue with the apprentices and several leaders and workers from the manufacturing center.
He talked about the ways things were and about his concerns for our future. He also talked about his ability to promote the Arsenal that is weakening each day with age.
"I'm 93-years old and this may be my last opportunity that I have to get you guys excited about the Arsenal," Clas said. "I will tell you, however, that until I die I will do all that I can to protect you (the Arsenal)."
For his 75 years of dedicated support to the Arsenal, Mr. Fred Clas is truly deserving to be this month's Arsenal Face of Strength.
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The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously operating arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in July 2013.
Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million, and its 2014 revenue was about $117 million.
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