First Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs sworn in

SACRAMENTO — A group from the Tule River Reservation took a trip to Sacramento last week to play a major role in the swearing-in of Pedro Molina, the first Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans Affairs in the nation.

At the ceremony, Curly Santos, Emo Alvarado, Adam Christman and Koda Bell of the Painted Rock Singers performed the flag song.

The Tule River Native Veterans Post 1987 conducted the presentation of colors in conjunction with the Pacific Region of the Nation American Indian Veterans.

The following 11 members of Post 1987 participated in the ceremonial presentation: Commander Stan Santos, Joe Martinez, Nick Encinas, Treasurer Matt Carabay, Louie Espinoza, Henry Balangue, Lieutenant Clay Garfield, Paul Lara, Danny Franco, Albert Quintero and Frank Silvas.

Also prior to Molina’s appointment was a performance by traditional cultural dancers, a blessing, a prayer, a veteran’s warrior song and the welcome by Roger Brautigan, Secretary of the California Department of Native American Affairs.

Molina, appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has served the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as American Indian program manager and marketing and community relations representative since 1998.

He previous held the positions of minority veteran program manager from 1995 to 1997 and Hispanic program manger from 1975 to 1995.

Molina, who served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973, is a member of the Yaqui Nation from Tuscon, AZ.