When celebrities Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn joined screenwriter Randall Wallace in Lynchburg the day before Liberty’s Commencement, they had a chance to visit campus and spend time with President Jerry Falwell and his family — while keeping their presence a secret from the thousands of friends and family members who were converging on the city at the same time. They toured campus by van before venturing to Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, the university’s year-round ski slope, for some nighttime tubing, and they swung by the local Cook Out restaurant for burgers.
Late on Friday night, the group (whose body clocks were still on California time) also visited some locations named for local war hero Desmond T. Doss. Doss’ life is portrayed in the upcoming film, “Hacksaw Ridge,” directed by Gibson and written in part by Wallace. (Vaughn plays a starring role in the film.) Doss was a World War II medic who became the first conscientious objector in American history to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The guests were taken to a local school and a highway that bear Doss’ name.
After Commencement, a private screening of the film, hosted by the stars, was held at Liberty’s THX surround-sound theater, part of the Cinematic Arts Department. The audience included conservative leaders and special guests Penny Nance, Dean Parker, David Lane, Willie Robertson, Michele Bachmann, General Dave Young, and war heroes Tim Lee and George Rogers, as well as members of Liberty’s administration. President Falwell joined Gibson, Vaughn, and Wallace in a Q-and-A after the showing.
Randy Smith, Liberty’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the film was “a moving experience.” He didn’t realize until the film was shown that it depicted a battle his father participated in and survived — a battle where he lost many of his friends.
“It wasn’t until then that I was able to understand what he faced and why he seldom talked about it,” Smith said. “I don’t know if the filmmakers grasped the impact they would have on a generation that has never had to experience a battle like that, but I am grateful to finally understand.”
After the screening on Saturday, the visitors from Hollywood spent some leisure time riding ATVs and dirt bikes on Falwell’s farm in nearby Bedford County and enjoyed dinner there.
