In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes a deeply emotional letter to Suzie on January 29, 1965, during a rare platoon party. He reflects on the challenges of the week, including the loss of a Christmas package, the camaraderie of his platoon, and the devastating realities of war. Popi recounts being under enemy fire 37 times in just seven days and shares a harrowing story of evacuating wounded civilians, including a young woman and her baby—a moment that profoundly affected him.

Accompanied by a photo of a mother and her baby at the Bangkok Zoo, today’s episode explores the toll of war on Popi's spirit and the weight of his love for his family, which made the suffering he witnessed all the more unbearable.

What’s Covered:

• A heartfelt account of Popi’s connection to Suzie and the boys despite the distance.
• The logistical challenges of mail in Vietnam and the loss of a meaningful Christmas package.
• The emotional and physical toll of evacuating wounded civilians and the horrors of war.
• Reflections on how these experiences affected Popi’s life, even years after the war.

📷 Featured Photo: A mother and her baby at the Bangkok Zoo, taken weeks after this letter was written.

🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe! I’ll be posting new episodes regularly, sharing letters and stories from exactly 60 years ago, as written by my grandfather.

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