Clarkstown South Graduate Receives One of Navy’s Highest Distinctions

Rockland County Legislature Minority Leader Lon M. Hofstein and Legislator Will J. Kennelly recognized U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Velikic for his exceptional service and a series of top Navy honors.

Velikic, a Clarkstown South High School graduate, decided he wanted to enter the medical field and determined that serving his country by joining the U.S. Navy would be the perfect path forward.

Today, he serves as a Surface Force Independent Duty Corpsman – one of the most challenging and highly skilled medical roles in the Navy. His performance has been exemplary, and this year Andrew was selected as the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s 2024 Sea Sailor of the Year – one of the Navy’s highest distinctions.

This year, he was also named the 2024 I Marine Expeditionary Force Sailor of the Year, and the 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.”

Velikic was presented with a Legislative Declaration recognizing his achievements and contributions. It read 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.”

Attending the ceremony were Velikic’s mother, Sharon, and father, Jose Nunez, a Marine veteran who served in the NYPD and is a Rockland County Sheriff’s Officer.

Velikic’s Navy commanders have described him as “the future of Navy medicine” – a leader whose skill, compassion, and mentorship set him apart.