On May 15, Branford's Al Paulsen didn't know his day would end with being wrapped in a Quilt of Valor.

"I didn't expect this today. I only came just to hear what was going on," said the Navy veteran, who joined up in 1952 as a 17 year-old and saw the world during service on a "kiddie cruise." The now extinct Navy program took in high school graduates under 18 years old with an obligation to serve until the age of 21.

"I was very fortunate to spend half of my time in a Brooklyn Navy yard on a tug boat  [where]every ship that comes in, the ammunition has to be taken off before it comes into port. And then afterwards, I was very fortunate to catch a destroyer that went around the world — DD-629 USS Abbot. I really enjoyed my time in the service," said Paulsen.

On May 15, Paulsen was also thankful that he had happened upon one of dozens of Quilts of Valor ceremonies which go on around the country every week, through the volunteers of non-profit Quilts of Valor Foundation. Here, seven local veterans were honored at an afternoon gathering at the Willoughby Wallace Library in Stony Creek was hosted by the Willoughby Wallace Quilters. Acting as the day's master of ceremonies was Jane Dougherty, Connecticut State Coordinator for Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Each intricately crafted quilt was caringly assembled by volunteers led by the Willoughby Wallace Quilters, who meet up on Tuesdays to sew together. From an intricate Texas Two-Step to classic Friendship Quilts, patterns of stars and blocks in brilliant colors began to brighten the room as veterans were wrapped in their gift, hugged by its maker, and applauded by a spirited group of family and friends.

Among the quilts was a pattern so difficult, Dougherty said she wouldn't attempt it; but knew the right quilter who could.

"It is a drop-dead gorgeous quilt," said Dougherty of the quilt, constructed with angle-set pieces and the likes of "star points" and "setting triangles" -- all terms of "quilter-speak," Dougherty explained.  It was crafted by quilter Denise Daly.

"Not everybody would have taken this on. Hug that lady," said Dougherty, as the quilt was presented to a grateful Mark Levine, U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, of West Haven.

"I just want to say it's an honor, and I'm so grateful for this. It also was an honor to serve in the United States Army," said Levine, who served two Vietnam tours.

"Welcome home," Dougherty told him.

"It's good to be home," Levine answered.

Veterans from Branford, North Branford, Northford, West Haven and Orange were honored one at a time, with a quilt "installation" that included wrapping the veteran first in the blanket, followed by a hug and a big thanks for their service.

Noting all quilters are volunteers and recruitment is ongoing to gather more, Dougherty called up North Branford Air Force Veteran Chuck Larkins, who built a quilt that was given to his friend, North Branford Army Veteran William Savastano.  Larkins has been quilting for some time now and said it's not that hard to get the hang of quilting, likening it to geometry. The two friends shared a hug and posed for photos taken by Savastano's wife, Dottie.

"I want to give a special thanks to Chuck and Jane," said Savastano. "I dedicate this to my fellow veterans and all the veterans who couldn't make it."

In 2017, Savastano was instrumental in helping his town honor to Army Sgt. 1st Class James E. Creamer Jr., a 20 year-old North Branford native who went missing in action on April 21, 1968 in Thua Thien Vietnam and was classified as Killed in Action one month later. Savastano wore a pin bearing Creamer's image to the May 15 Quilts of Valor event.

Other veterans wrapped in Quilts of Valor on May 15 were U.S. Army veteran Eugene Palmieri of Branford; U.S. Navy veteran Paul White of Northford; and U.S. Marines veterans David Ricci of Orange and Frank Corso of West Haven.

Corso, a WWII veteran, is an Iwo Jima survivor. He received a Giving Quilt done in patriotic colors by quilter Carol Burnt. With his daughters at his side, Corso was heartily applauded by his fellow vets as he was escorted back to his seat, with one veteran calling out "...looking good, man."

"Thanks," answered Corso, grinning broadly.

Whether they shared a bit about their military service or simply wanted to say thank you, all of the vets expressed amazement at the work that went into crafting the quilts. Each quilt also includes an imprinted message of thanks for the veterans' service to their country.

"These quilts come with orders," Dougherty told the veterans, as the ceremony wrapped up. "You are to use them. They are not to be put away; they go in your favorite place, wherever you hang out the most...use them, use them, use them."

To learn more about Quilts of Valor, visit https://www.qovf.org/