Iraq Veteran Ordered to Stay Away from Tom Cruise
Kat AngusPublished: Friday, December 12, 2008 In news that could serve as a sequel to Born on the Fourth of July, an Iraq war veteran has been ordered stay away from megastar Tom Cruise after two failed attempts to deliver a letter to the actor.
A restraining order was filed against Edward Van Tassel, a 29-year-old former soldier who allegedly showed up at the movie star's Los Angeles home twice this month to deliver his letter, reports Reuters. At the time, Van Tassel was being treated at a nearby veterans' hospital following a November arrest for brandishing a gun on a freeway overpass, but reportedly left the facility in an attempt to convince Cruise to support veterans' rights.
Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge barred Van Tassel from contacting Cruise or approaching any of the actor's residential properties. The veteran has returned to the hospital and cannot leave until his psychiatric counseling is completed.
Bert Fields, an attorney for Cruise, said the actor had nothing to do with enacting the restraining order and was not aware of Van Tassel's attempts to contact him until yesterday.
"Tom didn't even know about it, and the judge did the right thing - you've got to respect the judge for it. But it was not something Tom applied for," said Fields, adding that Cruise "feels very strongly about veterans of not only the Iraq war, but any veterans of war, and that they should be taken care of."
Hey, veterans, you know what that means: free e-meters for everyone!
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I am a 100% diabled Army veteran, and it disturbs me that any veteran would approach a star at their home and demand to see them, for any reason. To deliver a letter, or to even attempt to meet them. As veterans we served to protect this nations freedoms, and to be able to feel free at one's hom from harassment is one of those freedoms. Yes Tom Cruise played one of this nations best known Vietnam war protestors, Ron Kovic, and he was excellent in the role.
But Tom Cruise does not OWE veterans anything, like Gary Sinese (LT Dan from Forrest Gump) people get involved and help groups like the USO and DAV and other groups because they want to. If veterans get tagged as people that harass famous people feeling like they owe us more, then that is wrong. Now if Tom Cruise does help in the future will it be because he wants to or feels compelled to due to this veterans intrusion into Tom's home, where his wife and kids live, why should he help if he is going to be harassed. I have visions of creating a farm, ponds and a place of solace for PTSD veterans, but I would never force my way into a famous persons home or office in an attempt to meet them to discuss it. Mail the letter to his office or his managers office, do it like normal people do.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Iraq Veteran Ordered to Stay Away from Tom Cruise
