The Hamilton Elks celebrated Nick Chomicki’s 100th birthday at their recent monthly breakfast. Chomicki, a Hamilton resident, is a WWII navy veteran who reached the century milestone this month.
Chomicki now joins a small number of Americans—eight of every million—who are male, a veteran and over the century mark. The Trenton native has lived in Hamilton since 1948, when he built a home for his wife Mary with help from his brother. He still resides in the house he built to this day.
He served on the USS Willmarth, which saw duty in the Solomon Islands, Treasury Island and New Guinea shortly after arrival in the Pacific Theater. The ship was the frequent target of Japanese warplanes.
Last month, Chomicki was honored by American Legion Post 414 in Lawrence for his service and said he is looking forward to many more years.

Hamilton Elks Exalted Ruler Tim Dickson, left, presents a birthday cake to Nick Chomicki, a Navy veteran of World War II.,