A Colchester dad gave his sons the best early Veterans Day surprise on Thursday morning when he showed up at Colchester Elementary School after being away for almost a year.
Mikey Viggiani said he thought he was going to get books when he instead walked into a full auditorium for the annual Veterans Day ceremony and into the arms of his dad, Senior Chief Petty Officer Leonard Viggiani, who just returned from and eight-month U.S. Navy deployment in Africa.
“I think it’s very exciting. They said we were going to get books for Mrs. Lang. No, we weren’t,” Mikey Viggiani said. “I was psyched. I was really excited to see him.”
Senior Chief Petty Officer Viggiani wasn’t expecting the huge welcome when he arrived at school to see his sons, Mikey and Miles, and his wife, Karen.
“I just wanted to surprise them. I didn’t know it was going to be anything this grand,” Leonard Viggiani said.
Karen Viggiani was thrilled that they were able to surprise the boys.
“I just can’t believe we pulled it off. We weren’t sure it was going to happen. With the military, you never know if you’ll be able to make it home in time or not. Trying to keep this town a secret is really hard. But I’m so thrilled we were able to do it. It’s been really hard for the family,” she said.
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For the last couple of Veterans Day celebrations, Leonard Viggiani sent in photos and mementoes from deployments.
“This time, being gone for a year, I wanted to do something a little better so I sent them a video and just wanted to surprise them by coming home,” he said.
Several veterans were also at the ceremony and the students sang songs.
“Didn’t know it was going to be this crazy, but I’m glad we were able to do something special for them,” Senior Chief Petty Officer Viggiani said.
Viggiani, who has been in the Navy for 19 years, said he had butterflies and will be home for the weekend before going back to Norfolk, Virginia. Then, he will be home for a few years.
“Absolutely insane. Huge butterflies. I haven’t seen these guys in about eight months. So it’s been a long time, way too long,” he said. ”Very happy to be home and back with my family.”
Viggiani said Colchester always puts on an amazing Veterans Day celebration.
“We love our veterans here. They honor every single one of us, every single one is very special and they make sure we know that,” he said.
