posted 04-06-2002 11:35 PM                  

The final bills have been paid, thank you notes have gone out and I'd now like to take some time to share some things with you about the CAAP Tribute Day that I've not had the time to do. I promise I will try not to be too long-winded (which probably won't happen), eloquent or send any subliminal messages!!

First, I would like to thank all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to come to Detroit and participate in this most gratifying day. I only wish that everyone could have made it. For those who couldn't we knew you were there in spirit. I want to thank those gentlemen that assisted me in handing out the commemorative plaques and cds. Thank you also, to all the Prowler owners who took the time to shake hands with all of the craftspeople and express their best wishes and thanks to them. You have no idea what that meant to them. Thank you to all of you who donated toward the gifts, as they were very much appreciated.

It was a very emotional day for all involved - the craftspeople, the staff, the UAW reps, the DC corporate staff and the Prowler owners (over 80 of them). There were grave concerns and reservations from the Plant staff as to how this was going to be handled by us. To be honest, they were not sure they wanted to do this, right up to the last minute. The main concern was how the craftspeople were going to react. None of them were told what was really planned, as it was supposed to be sort of a surprise. They knew we were going to be there, but not why. A great many of them had already been given their lay-off notices and others knew theirs were coming.

Since it was my responsibility to be the host speaker (which I am not good at), I agonized all week about what I was going to say to these people to accurately convey how we all felt and why we were there to honor them without upsetting them and have it be a reminder that a lot of them were losing their jobs. Fortunately for me, there were many other people who took the opportunity to speak, also. Cindy, the Plant Manager, Sylvia, the UAW reps, several staff members of the plant, several corporate people from DC, Bob Tate from the Museum and Mike Krehel. By the time it came to me, everyone had pretty much summed it up. The reason we were there was not to celebrate the end of production of the Prowler, but to thank those craftspeople who worked so hard to produce the best car that has ever been built!!! We wanted them to know how much we appreciated their loyalty and devotion to building such a great vehicle and how lucky we felt to be able to own a Prowler. When it was my turn to speak, I still had not written down anything I thought I should say. So, I just said it from my heart. I thanked them for always being friendly and courteous and accommodating every time we were there to visit. Having spent so much time at the plant, I was always made to feel like I was one of their family......and that is what they considered themselves......a family.....and I thank them for making me a part of that, which was something I would never forget. They considered me their friend and I appreciated that more than they will ever know. Unfortunately, I got pretty emotional and sort of lost it a bit......well maybe more than a bit, so I cut if off right then! However, I wasn't the only teary-eyed one there....

They were asked to form a line to come up to receive their gifts and as they were working their way to the front, the Prowler owners who were standing on the perimeter of the room, took the opportunity to shake hands, say thank you, give and take hugs and exchange smiles and best wishes. The craftspeople were very surprised and very appreciative of their gifts. They really loved them. They had smiles on their faces and friendship in their hearts. There were quite a few of them (men and women) who chided me for making them cry!! But they said it with a big smile on their face.

After the "tribute" the plant provided a very nice lunch for the craftspeople and the Prowler owners. The plant also procured a Candy Red decklid for all who attended this CAAP Tribute day, including us, the craftspeople, DC people, UAW people, etc. This decklid will not ever be signed again and it will be on permanent display at the plant.

In case you weren't aware, it was the craftspeople who actually conducted the tours when we were there. At first, under the circumstances, Cindy (the Plant Manager) did not feel like she wanted to ask them to do it that day. However, Cindy was so pleased with the outcome of the day, that she changed her mind about giving us a plant tour. I'd been begging her to change her mind, Mike Krehel was gently pushing, but she told me later that the thing that actually made her change her mind was the fact that several of the craftspeople came to her and said that everyone wanted to give us a tour. So, she agreed on the tour, which made all the Prowler owners very happy. Most of them there had never been there before. They got to see the Candy Reds being built which was the last of the Prowlers to go down that line.

The Prowler owners had the opportunity to visit the CAAP store and, I might add, I was told we set an all-time record for sales that day. We actually wore Sylvia and Joyce out!!!

I am proud to say that we accomplished what we had set out to do and everyone involved was grateful for such a wonderful day. I don't think that anyone that was there will ever forget it. Thank you........I am very proud of all of you.

Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank Mike and Judy Krehel for their support, assistance and contributions with planning this special event.

posted 04-06-2002 11:41 PM                  

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Cruise a land called Shabop!

posted 04-07-2002 01:55 AM                  

Please read the rest of the story here:

http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/005651.html

posted 04-07-2002 07:53 AM                  

The trip to the CAAP tribute is one that will remain with me forever, both because of the Prowler and the people who made them.

During my working life I had the task of shutting down several unionized assembly production areas. It was the hardest thing I had to do in my 34 years with the company. Most of these people where friends and still are, most thanked me for being the one who had to deliver the bad news.

I was the President of a large UAW local for many years and as such was able to treat these people with what I believed to be dignity and respect.

That is what I thought we ALL ( even those not present) did when we went to the plant on Feb. 8, 2002.

Mike and Judy also showed the Craftspeople how we owners are Proud to drive and own a car they had built. Yes the car was designed else where but Hand Built by them.

So to all those people and the management and CAW representatives thank you for allowing me to be part of a day I shall remember.

posted 04-07-2002 10:12 AM                  

The plant craftspeople finished their job....building the car.....now it is our job to continue it......

posted 04-09-2002 08:23 PM                  

We will.. NEVER ... EVER .. forget our special trip to this CAAP DAY Tribute. Thanks CJ, for making this possible for us, I will always remember that day..FOREVER !!!
The Antosko's from chili Canada .

posted 04-09-2002 09:23 PM                  

BEST WISHES and THANKS to everyone who made the Prowler a dream come true!

Jay