Make believe

by Pat Alexander
(Sacramento, CA)

Val, I have always been a major fan of your acting. In all honesty, you are very good at what you do.

Please don't assume that playing make believe in front of a camera is anything like the real thing. You are nothing more than a very highly paid story teller.

You would have no job at all if not for the real people who really did or do the things you pretend to do, in front of a camera. You have deluded yourself into believing that you know what it is like in reality to do that which you pretend to do. Believe me, it's not that easy.

I thought I had it all figured out, with all the training the Marine Corps gave me, and knew how I would deal with killing. I had no idea, no idea at all, until at least 10 years after I got back and went into counseling for PTSD.

Please think about this, extend a heartfelt apology, and stick to pretending to be somebody.