An early Veterans Day celebration turned into a welcome home surprise for one Connecticut Navy sailor’s family on Wednesday.
Cheers, tears and welcome home hugs filled the stage at Mary Fritz Elementary School in Wallingford as 22-year-old Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Brandon Selvaggi came home from his deployment early to surprise his younger siblings.
"They had no clue I was coming so it as nice to really surprise them,” said Brandon “It was awesome, it was just, it's just nice to see them smile and to have it not be on a picture. It's beautiful to be back."
Brandon has been deployed for the last nine months and his family expected him home later this week.
"They were shocked. They were happy. Hailey cried last night because it's no fair that he can't be home," said Brandon’s mother Gini Selvaggi.
Gini helped organize the welcome home surprise for her children, 10-year-old Robert and 9-year-old Hailey Crowell. The kids originally thought Brandon would miss the school’s Veterans Day Program.
"I was very happy," said Robert.
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Brandon attended the school as a child and was honored with songs at the event, along with many other veterans. He plans to spend the next few weeks with his loved ones and is happy to be home for Thanksgiving.
"There is nothing that can replace family and friends. Just the people that you love and care about, so it's just nice to be home and around them," said Brandon.
Brandon is thrilled to be someone the kids in Wallingford and Connecticut can look up to. He is a reminder of how thankful we all should be.
"I love him and you should thank all the veterans because they support us," said Robert.
Brandon hopes to one day be a police officer. For now he is honored to serve and deploy once again the day after Thanksgiving.
