War heroes photography project at Belmont Village West Lake Hills

Every day, memories of World War II disappear. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the country is losing 348 veterans a day. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only 496,777 are still alive. It's why Belmont Village Senior Living’s American Heroes: Portraits of Service project is working quickly to capture pictures and stories.

Photographs on the walls of Belmont Village show the storied faces of the many veteran residents. American heroes living in the communities are now part of a photographic record of an historic time. Over the past decade, Tom Sanders has gathered what may be the largest collection of World War II portraits in the world.

On Thursday, Dec. 6—the day before the 76th anniversary of Pearl Harbor—the nationally recognized photographer captured the images of 13 more veterans at Belmont Village West Lake Hills.

The majority of Belmont Village residents who served were in WWII, Korea, and in a few cases, Vietnam. Some were involved in combat and participated in pivotal battles; many performed key support functions; and others were involved in weapons development, testing, and training. Service duration ranged from months to years, with a few career military veterans.

Sanders said: “There's definitely an urgency to photograph these veterans before they pass away. Some of these men and women are in their 80s and 90s, and they're telling their stories for the first time. Even their kids haven't heard their stories. It’s remarkable.”

One of the men was World War II veteran Bob Northington, who served in the infantry in the Pacific Ocean Theater and Korea.

“I liked the Army because I felt it was my patriotic duty to serve. I did it for my country. I appreciated the discipline the army instills. My father was in the Army too, so like father, like son,” said Northington.

“I went in at 17. I got out at 18,” said Northington. He was a teenager then, but is 90 now. “I don't have a single old-time friend alive. I miss them.

The other West Lake Hills veteran residents who were photographed by Sanders as part of the American Heroes: Portraits of Service Project included Dan Armstrong, Jim Cahill, Marvin DeGlandon, Charles Gilpin, Don Krummenacher, Bill Moore, Richard Pershau, Rob R. Routh, and Jim Washington.

Donna Hermann, executive director of Belmont Village West Lake Hills, says: “The portrait sessions at Belmont Village West Lake Hills are helping to preserve those rapidly disappearing stories. Veterans know what isn't shared today, could be lost forever. We are grateful for the sacrifices of veterans and their families, and are privileged to honor their bravery and selfless contributions in service to our country.”

The portraits taken in Austin will be added to the permanent gallery at Belmont Village West Lake Hills. The community will host a public exhibit opening in early 2019.

For more information about the project, visit https://www.belmontvillage.com/life-at-belmont-village/american-heroes/.