Kilmer Vietnam Loser's Success Story

I did 26 months in country in Viet Nam as a combat door gunner, all volunteer. I came home, graduated from college, got a job and rose from entry level to Executive VP, before starting my own business.

The president of the first company would ask if I was ever going to go postal...he thought it was funny until I'd had enough and told him. He really did not realize how much that hurt and he had become a good friend. He deeply regretted his comments.

I suspect Val Kilmer's ego and Esquire's desire to publish an inflammatory article combined to result in a factual but regrettable quotation.

Now Val, you have to live with it and its consequences.

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Thank you for your service to our country, and welcome home.

We agree that Val Kilmer's ego probably got the best of him, and he chose a very poor example to attempt to illustrate his point about mental preparation for a role.

But he was given the opportunity to redeem himself by making a public apology and acknowledging the service of our Vietnam veterans. The fact that he chose not to tells us all we need to know about his intentions.