Starting Aug. 31, Belmont Village Senior Living Communities will host four new exhibits featuring veterans’ portraits accompanied by their comments about their service. All images are taken by renowned former L.A.-based portrait photographer Thomas Sanders, who captures the men and women as they are today, along with their memorabilia and superimposed with a historic backdrop depicting their service. These underscore the significance of this generation in defending freedom around the world, through World War II and beyond. The portraits are permanent exhibitions and each reception will include recognition ceremonies honoring these veterans.

The events are open to the public with reservations suggested.

The first event will be held on Monday, Aug. 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Belmont Village of Burbank, 455 E. Angeleno Ave. Additional exhibits will be at Belmont Villages Encino, Westwood and Hollywood.

Belmont Village Senior Living originally commissioned Sanders to photograph its resident veterans in 2008 after learning of his mission – begun as a senior in college – to preserve the images and stories of as many WWII veterans as possible. Since aligning with Belmont Village, Sanders has gathered a portfolio of more than 600 photos to date. As a result of their partnership, “The Last Good War: The Faces and Voices of WWII” was published in the fall 2010. The book is an award-winning collection of images and stories.

Belmont Village and Sanders continue to work together in their shared goal to preserve and honor the remarkable, every day experiences of these men and women who changed our world. This year’s national tour commemorates the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Photos include veterans from that era and beyond.

For more information about Belmont Village, visit www.belmontvillage.com.