The Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987

The Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987 – Formally, known as “The Tule River AMVETS (American Veterans) Post 1988”was the first all Native American post in the Nation. Established and recognized in 1987, the Tule River AMVETS Charger had 12 members. In addition there were more than 50 tribal members living on the reservation or elsewhere that had been identified.

In 1988, the post was sponsored and installed by the Tulare Post 56, the largest AMVETS post in the nationwide veteran’s organization. The Tulare post at the time had over 2,000 members. Nationally, AMVETS had more than 200,000 members.

In the year of 2005, The Tule River AMVETS became an independent veteran’s organization. The Tule River AMVETS name was changed to “Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987”. Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987 is a department which is operated under the Tule River Tribal Council.

Some members of the Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987 have served in the active military service dating back to 1941. Other members have served in years after.

The Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987 includes the following members:

Stan Santos Sr. - Commander Louis Espinoza - Member
Lewis Christman - Captain Paul Lara Sr. - Member
Clayton Garfield - Lieutenant Joe Martinez - Member
Matthew Carabay - Treasurer Henry Belangue - Member
Bernard Baga - Sgt. At Arms Darrell Vera - Member
Amy McDarment – Chaplain Art McDarment - Member
Patrick Garfield – Member Richard Facio - Member
Isidore Garfield – Member Albert Quintero - Member
Danny Franco – Member Frank Silvas - Member
Nick Encinas Sr. – Member Richard Villareal - Member
Alfonso Jimenez – Member Leonard Manuel Sr. - Member

Phone: 559.781.4271 ext 1040