On Monday, January 27, 2025, an unveiling ceremony naming two streets honoring our own local esteemed Marine Veterans was held at the Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic in French Camp. One of the two streets at the VA Clinic is named after Faustino “Tino” Adame, and the other for Richard A. Pittman, both Stockton natives. Tino” Adame, Jr. was born in French Camp on January 27, 1947. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the US Marine Corp and was sent to Vietnam. After his unit came under heavy artillery fire during an ambush, he was shot and later received a Purple Heart for his service.
He completed his service in 1967 and returned home to begin working at the Tracy Defense Depot for the next 35 years, retiring in 1999. In 1998, he became the first Latino Commander of the Karl Ross Post #16 of Stockton’s American Legion. As commander, Tino played a crucial role in re-establishing the Post’s connection with the Stockton community. He worked tirelessly to get the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors to increase support for the Veterans Service Office and helped to influence the Stockton Unified School District to name a new elementary school in honor of Stockton’s only Medal of Honor Recipient – Richard A. Pittman. He also sought to acknowledge female Veterans. As a result of his advocacy, a stretch of CA Highway 99 from Arch Road to Hammer Lane has been dedicated in recognition of Women Veterans.
Tino’s enlistment into the Marine Corps should come as no surprise – his father and three brothers all enlisted into the armed forces and proudly served. Tino Adame has been happily married to Mary Hope Lopez Adame for the past 54 years. Mary worked as a registered nurse for 43 years dedicating her life to helping others. She has also been a dedicated advocate involved in the American Legion Auxiliary (Post #16) to positively impact the lives of Veterans, military, and their families through education, resources and support of Veteran causes.
For over 30 years, Tino played an instrumental role in advocating for better health care facilities for Veterans in the San Joaquin Valley. His efforts eventually helped lead to the creation of the new Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic, and the namesake of the other street, Richard A. Pittman Drive.
In recognition of his relentless efforts for Veterans and to ensure the success of the VA Clinic/Hospital, the dedication of “Tino Adame Road” will forever cement Mr. Adame’s unwavering dedication and community advocacy to help secure local Veterans easier access to essential medical care. During the unveiling ceremony, the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and the Central Valley Association of Realtors also honored him by awarding him as Stocktonian of the Year.
The Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic is located in French Camp, CA providing services for Veterans living in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, and Tuolumne counties. The 160,000 square foot clinic offers a number of services including primary care, surgery, pharmacy, physical therapy, dental and mental health services and has the capacity to serve nearly 210,000 Veterans who call the Central Valley home.
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