Saluting the Sacrifices of Local Heroes

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Mihika Joshi. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Even as a kid, Mihika Joshi understood the sacrifice of military service, so when the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II arrived in 2020, she used it as an opportunity to honor those involved by founding Home of the Brave Connecticut. She was just 12 years old.

What has become an annual display honors local veterans and their families by hanging banners throughout her town with their photos, roles and wars they served in. She also hopes to inspire youth-led civic action and gratitude with their stories. Now a senior in high school, Mihika has displayed personalized banners for 275 veterans in four Connecticut towns and raised nearly $30,000 through community donations and local partnerships.

Mihika consistently looks for ways to help others. During her nine years—and counting—as a Girl Scout, she earned her Gold Award from her work addressing occupational sorting and the gender wage gap. And as part of her school’s Future Business Leaders of America club and Model UN, her tendency to note and address shortfalls in the status quo no doubt continues. In short, Mihika is bending the world’s arc of kindness and equality in the right direction with the empathetic leadership the world needs.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

My school has always done a really good job explaining why veterans are so critical. In Kindergarten, several came in to talk to us. Because of that, I’ve always wanted to do something for them, and in 2020, I came up with this idea.

With the support of my local Patriotic Commission, it became a reality. Because it was new during COVID, we honored eight World War II veterans that year for the 75th anniversary of the end of that war. This year was 250 years of American independence, and we reached our 250th veteran.

Tell us about your volunteer role with the Veterans Banner Program.

I oversee and facilitate all aspects of the program—collecting honoree nominations, securing sponsorships, coordinating with community partners and leading outreach initiatives.

Every year, we identify and honor veterans by printing banners with their name and photo on them and hanging them in the local library, recreation center and in other areas. We find our nominees with support from organizations like the Patriotic Commission and the American Legion; sometimes they’re nominated by other veterans.

Initially, I had to make calls to find sponsors, because it was the middle of COVID. Some thought it was a teen prank, because I was a 12-year-old calling to ask for money. They didn’t know about the program yet. Since then, we’ve expanded to four towns. There are banners everywhere, so many people know what we’re doing. It’s become easier.

Banners go up on Memorial Day with a different set of veterans every year. The unveiling ceremony is typically the Friday before, and we bring them down on Veterans Day. Once they’re no longer being displayed, they go to the community sponsor for one year, and after that, they’re given to the families.

Do you have other volunteers?

In addition to myself, the South Windsor Patriotic Commission has two volunteers who have helped me immensely, Daria Plummer and Herb Asplund. At our yearly banner unveiling, we also have lots of youth volunteers from South Windsor High School.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

My original plan was to honor every veteran in South Windsor. We’ve already expanded to four towns. Now, my goal is to continue until every veteran in the state of Connecticut—and potentially beyond—is feeling seen and appreciated.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

The unveiling event is always special, because I have the opportunity to actually meet and talk to veterans and their families. Hearing their stories firsthand reminds me of why I got involved in this initiative to begin with. Their humility, strength and stories of valor inspire me.

In our first year, I met Navy veteran Marie Walsh, and she told me about being a nurse in the Navy. It was so exciting, especially because she’s a woman, and most of our honorees are male.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I remember talking to one of the Vietnam veterans who told me that when they returned from the war, the community wasn’t very welcoming. That was upsetting, because they gave up everything to protect our freedoms; they should be respected and honored. I’m grateful that we get to be part of their journeys. This initiative, more than anything, has shown me how strong our community is and how much support there is when we come together to celebrate the people who allow us to live the way that we do.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Going through this process has shown me that I have the power to work with like-minded people to initiate positive change in my own community. If you’re passionate about something, there are many different ways to speak out. People are the keystone of community.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Find allies who are as passionate as you are. For me, that’s been the Patriotic Commission, our community sponsors and the people who really stand up and advocate for this. My biggest advice is to find a team of people who you think are going to put their full effort forward to make it happen.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I started this program when I was 12. I had the idea when I was 10. As long as you’re able to advocate for yourself and your ideas, you can never be too young to create change. At first, people might not take you seriously, but you’ll eventually be able to show them through your impact that you are capable of making change.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Mihika? Find local volunteer opportunities.