Assemblymember Garcia honors Nick Velez as the 58th Assembly District’s Veteran of the Year.
Pictured from left to right: Assemblymember Garcia and Nick Velez. Picture taken in fron of dias on the Assembly Floor, in Sacramento, CA on 6-6-17
Nick Velez proudly served the United States Marine Corps – 2nd Battalion 4th Marines Echo Company, from July 25, 2005 to July 24, 2009. Upon Nick’s enlistment he served in the United States Marine Corps in 2005 into the Infantry. In 2006 Nick was deployed with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines as part of the Operation Iraqi Freedom “Surge Strategy”. This mission took him and his fellow troops into the most dangerous cities of Iraq (Ar Ramadi 2006 and Ar Rutbah 2007) Iraq. Upon Nick’s return from Iraq he was deployed with BLT 2/4 on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this mission Nick directly supported and cross trained with foreign military in jungle warfare operations. In 2009, Nick was discharged from the Marine’s as a Corporal (E-4). He has received several accommodation for his service and bravery such as; Awards- Combat action ribbon, Navy sea service deployment ribbon, national defense ribbon, global war on terrorism service ribbon, Iraq Campaign Ribbon, Global war on terrorism expeditionary ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Certificate of commendation.
Upon Nick’s discharge he returned home to his community in Downey. In 2012 he began down a new career path as a small business owner. With determination to give back to his community he founded a restaurant in Downey. - Bastard’s American. The restaurant is proudly named after his battalion 2nd Battalion 4th Marines the “Magnificent Bastards.” Through his business and network, he discovered his passion for helping Veteran’s, especially those that suffer and live with PTS (post-traumatic stress). Nick is also a dedicated member of the Teufel Hunden Det. #1360, Marine Corps League of West Covina, CA, and co-founder / president of Save the Brave Organization.
