American Heroes: Portraits of Service
Photographer Thomas Sanders captures the many faces of WWII.
In Fall 2008, Belmont Village met a remarkable young photographer on a mission - to capture the images and personal stories of World World II veterans - regardless of rank and service area - with the ultimate goal of preserving them in a book. Intrigued by Tom's mission, talent and insight, and captivated by the opportunity to help our residents share their stories, we commissioned him to photograph our veterans in Belmont Village communities throughout the country. Tom set out to create the striking images you see here, a selection from the nearly 300 portraits he has produced. The photos now hang in galleries at our communities - each one presenting the unique and compelling stories of the residents within.
Curator's Statement
The power of portrait photography is immense and magical. A portrait freezes an individual’s image in time and when it’s done right, paradoxically, can transcend time altogether to reveal multiple, deeper dimensions of person and place.
Such are the photographs of Thomas Sanders whose images wonderfully capture the essence of Belmont Village residents who are veterans of World War II. Sanders’ photographs are bold, honest, and insightful. They are respectful of his subjects’ wartime experience and their current place in life. Through the alchemy of lighting, posture, and a nuanced use of artifacts, they magically capture both the vulnerability of age and the valor of youth in wartime. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to Sanders’ talent as a portrait photographer.
The ranks of living World War II veterans are in an inevitable decline. It is not unreasonable to think about these photographs as part of a larger narrative, a photographic chronicle of a generation that began in wartime with compelling images by the battlefield and home-front photographers of the day — Edward Steichen, Robert Capa, Joe Rosenthal, Dorothea Lange, Alfred Eisenstaedt — and finds its terminus with a photographer such as Sanders, who is equally compelled to capture this story now in its final chapter. Sanders is a contributor to that chronicle and we at Belmont Village are honored to be a part of his project.
Jeff DeBevec
Artist's Statement
For the past two years, I have been documenting our nation’s World War II veterans through the images and thoughts of these extraordinary men and women. As a 24-year-old man, I realize my generation has had an easy upbringing compared to the World War II generation who faced the trials of the Great Depression and then the battles of World War II. Except for the soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, my generation has not faced similar challenges. I believe that current and future generations should be made aware of the sacrifices that the WWII soldiers made and the link they have with all generations and all Americans.
My project is the visual bridge to that understanding. I am creating a book of work that is simple but striking, as it commemorates the sacrifices and honors the lives of our Veterans; both when engaged in combat and later as civilians.
As time passes, we are rapidly losing the voices of those who still have much to teach us about the true nature of war. We must capture their thoughts soon or lose the opportunity forever. The urgency is to document not only the famous veteran, but also the everyday veteran — each with an important story to tell.
Thomas Sanders
Exhibit viewings are available by appointment at the following communities:
San Jose, CA 408-984-4767
Sunnyvale, CA 408-720-8498
Hollywood, CA 323-874-7711
Burbank, CA 818-972-2405
Encino, CA 818-788-8870
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 310-377-9977
Buffalo Grove, IL 847-537-5000
Carol Stream, IL 630-510-1515
Glenview, IL 847-657-7100
Oak Park, IL 708-848-7200
Houston, TX 713-592-9200
Louisville, KY 502-721-7500
Memphis, TN 901-624-8820
Nashville, TN 615-279-9100
San Diego/Cardiff by the Sea, 760-436-8900
San Diego/Sabre Springs, 858-486-5020