Link to the TWC News Story:
http://www.twcnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2015/11/15/93-year-old-veteran-gets-highest-army-materiel-co... VIEW ORIGINAL
WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (Nov. 16, 2015) -- Gen. Dennis L. Via honored a promise he made last month to a 93-year-old Watervliet Arsenal retiree by traveling from Alabama to upstate New York on November 15 to present a Hall of Fame award to Fred Clas, the former director of Arsenal operations.
Due to health issues, Clas was unable to attend the U.S. Army Materiel Command's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony conducted by Via at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., on October 27. Nevertheless, Via, the commander of the U.S. Army Materiel Command, called Clas just prior to the ceremony and promised Clas that he would bring his award to him in the near future. With Clas facing major heart surgery today, there was no better time than now for the visit.
The rarity of such a visit cannot be overstated. It is a toss-up as to which is more rare: a four-star general making a house call on a retired employee; or the fact that a former Arsenal apprentice was selected into the AMC Hall of Fame. Suffice it to say that both are extremely rare events.
Clas met Via on his driveway to his house, introducing his wife, Marion, and two daughters, Janet and Karen, before leading Via into his basement that is rich with Arsenal history.
Once in his basement, Clas slowly led Via down a hallway adorned with awards from such leaders as the Secretary to Army, as well as a rare 1940 picture of Clas in the Arsenal apprentice class. Once into the main area, Clas had meticulously lined up his 45 years of history along a long, wooden table. Starting with his apprentice notebook to a letter from President Ronald Reagan, Clas walked the general through 45 years of history in about 30 minutes.
When Clas had worked his way to the end of the table, it was time for the presentation of the Hall of Fame award.
Via said it was a tremendous honor for him to officiate this ceremony to a remarkable Army Civilian with such a powerful life story.
"I'm extremely proud of Mr. Fred Clas who is indicative of the great people who serve our Army," Via said. "This is a truly an inspirational day for all of us."
After receiving his medal and plaque from Via, Clas said that because he is not a college graduate he doesn't have the right words to say of just how proud he is to receive such an award from a four-star general who personally took the time to deliver it to him.
After Via and the media cameras had left. Clas' eyes teared up as he humbly talked about the day's events, especially about the importance of the award and the personal visit by Via. He said he hoped that although the day's focus was on him, that he was able to portray his great pride for the Arsenal workforce who were, and still are, like his family.
"While I was the director, we were able to achieve great things due to the wonderful workforce who would give anything and everything they had to support me and the Arsenal," Clas said.
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Background:
Army Materiel Command…Mr. Frederick Clas was inducted into the 2015 AMC Hall of Fame by Gen. Dennis L. Via, the Commanding General of AMC, at the AMC Headquarters at the Redstone Arsenal, Ala., on Oct. 27, 2015.
AMC was activated in 1962, but its Hall of Fame was not established until 2012, on its 50th anniversary. The Hall of Fame was established to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the command and the U.S. Army, giving employees a sense of heritage, honor, and pride. Nominees are evaluated on their contributions to one or more of AMC's core missions or the lasting impacts they made on the command.
AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- equipping, sustaining and enabling the war fighter through technology, acquisition support, materiel development and logistics power projection -- across the spectrum of joint military operations.
AMC impacts or has a presence is all 50 states and in 144 countries. It has a work force of more than 65,000 dedicated military and civilian employees.
Watervliet Arsenal…The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously active arsenal in the United States having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary on July 14, 2013. It is a subordinate command to the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command at Warren, Mich., and the Army Materiel Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
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 had revenue in fiscal year 2015 that exceeded $138 million and provides an annual economic benefit to New York of nearly $100 million.
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