Young filmmaker with passion for veteran storytelling to lead event at The War Memorial
GROSSE POINTE FARMS June 2, 2025 – James “Skip” Liberty’s footage from the Vietnam War sat in a box for over 50 years. That was until Tommy Dilger came along.
Dilger, of Macomb Township, will be at The War Memorial on June 18 for a documentary film screening that is part of The War Memorial’s commemorative series, “Conflict and Healing: Exploring the Legacy of the Vietnam War.” The yearlong series of events and programs looks to honor the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans and their families. Dilger will share the story of Liberty, a Vietnam War veteran.
“The film follows Skip and his tour in Vietnam,” Dilger said. “His uncle told him to buy a Super 8 camera and film everything while over in Vietnam, which he did. He sent his footage back to America and it sat in a box for over 50 years and he never ended up watching it.”
Liberty and Dilger first met on the set of another film, when Dilger – an award-winning filmmaker - was doing some acting.
“It was at the hunting property of Skip’s friend John Kulhavi,” Dilger said. “They are good friends and Skip was on set. I was dressed up in a Vietnam uniform and mentioned that as a hobby I’ve been scanning old footage. He mentioned off hand that he had some footage he shot in Vietnam that he hadn’t seen before. I asked if he’d like to see it, and he said, ‘yeah that sounds pretty cool.’”
Liberty enlisted in the Army in 1968, carrying a home video camera to document his experience. What began as a simple request turned into an extraordinary firsthand account, capturing everything from basic training to life in Vietnam’s camps and battlefields. Decades later, a chance encounter with Dilger brought this forgotten footage to light, leading to the creation of a powerful feature film titled “Skip Liberty: Shooting in Vietnam.”
Dilger is a documentary filmmaker with an interest in military history. Born and raised in Michigan, the 22-year-old Dilger recently graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in film. “Skip Liberty: Shooting in Vietnam” was released in 2023 and is available on streaming platforms Tubi and HistoryFix. Following the screening at The War Memorial, a question-and-answer period with the audience is planned.
“When I met him, I asked if he would like to watch the footage and he said yes,” Dilger said. “I scanned all the footage and in the documentary, you see his reaction to seeing the footage for the first time in 53 years, reflecting on his tour and what he saw. People can expect to see some cool footage that hadn’t been seen even by Skip prior to this.”
Dilger has worked on films with director Keith Famie such as “Detroit: The City of Hot Rods and Muscle Cars,” as well as Chicago Fire Director of Photography Will Eichler on programs for HistoryFix, including Civil War Digital Digest. Dilger is currently working as the director, writer, and host of Victory Journal, a World War II educational series on HistoryFix.
Speaking about his experience in making “Skip Liberty: Shooting in Vietnam,” Dilger said he did most of it by himself.
“It was a micro-budget project,” he shared. “It’s independent film in the purest way.”
In making this film, Dilger’s original intent was to make a short film, not a feature. It required Dilger to scan about 3.5 hours of footage that Liberty filmed.
“I set up an interview with him and after that, it was a year of solid editing,” he said. “Once I dug into it, I realized there was a feature film worth of stories here.”
In working with Liberty and other veterans, Dilger has come to the belief that once veterans like Liberty are gone, “it’s like a library burns.”
“With documentary film making, I can give a wider audience to these incredible stories from veterans,” he adds. “I’m trying to preserve as many of those libraries as I can.”
For more information on the June 18 event and to register, visit here.
About The War Memorial
The War Memorial, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Farms, is an experiential space open to everyone. For over 75 years, this nonprofit organization has served as a patriotic, cultural, and community center, offering a wide range of innovative programs for all ages. Annually, The War Memorial welcomes thousands of guests for community events, educational programming, and private gatherings in its unique and historic setting. At its core, The War Memorial celebrates the ideas of American democracy while honoring those who have defended these ideals with tireless effort and personal sacrifice. As a dynamic and forward-thinking hub for southeast Michigan, The War Memorial remains committed to inspiring and enriching the community through unparalleled experiences.
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CONTACT:
Alex Szwarc, The War Memorial
Patriotic Programming and Communications Administrator
313.881.7514, aszwarc@warmemorial.org