Rockland County Legislature Minority Leader Lon M. Hofstein and Legislator Will J. Kennelly formally recognized U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Velikic on Tuesday for his outstanding service and a remarkable series of national military honors.
Velikic, a Clarkstown South High School graduate, pursued a career in medicine through his service in the U.S. Navy. He now serves as a Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman, one of the Navy’s most demanding and highly specialized medical positions.
His excellence has earned him some of the Navy’s highest distinctions. This year, Velikic was selected as the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s 2024 Sea Sailor of the Year, an elite honor awarded to only the most exceptional sailors. He was also named the 2024 I Marine Expeditionary Force Sailor of the Year and received the title of Fleet Marine Force Senior Independent Duty Corpsman of the Year.
“From his days at Clarkstown South to serving Sailors and Marines in the field, Andrew has shown us what it means to lead with heart, humility, and excellence,” Legislator Hofstein said. “On behalf of the Rockland County Legislature and the people we proudly represent, we thank him for his service and leadership.”
During the ceremony, Velikic received a Legislative Declaration recognizing his achievements, noting in part: “With gratitude and pride, we thank him for bringing honor to his hometown and for embodying the spirit of service that inspires us all.”
He was joined by his mother, Sharon, and his father, Jose Nunez—a Marine veteran, former NYPD officer, and current Rockland County Sheriff’s Officer.
Navy commanders have praised Velikic as “the future of Navy medicine,” calling him a leader whose skill, compassion, and mentorship distinguish him among his peers.
