Dearest Suzie

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes two letters from March 5, 1965, giving us two starkly different glimpses into life in Vietnam. The first letter finds him on O.D. duty—walking the perimeter at night, checking the guards, and navigating the uneasy trust between American and South Vietnamese forces. Later that day, he sits down to a formal dinner with high-ranking Vietnamese officers, s...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes home about receiving letters from family, sending a bracelet to his niece, and arranging to repair the family camera—a small task that connects him to home across thousands of miles. But tucked into the end of the letter is a casual mention of night patrol, a routine mission that carried extraordinary risks. Accompanied by a cockpit view from inside a...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie writes to Suzie on March 1, 1965, sharing quiet days, family updates, and—almost as an afterthought—his decision to transfer to the armed platoon, trading troop transport missions for combat operations. Accompanied by a striking photo of a helicopter bearing the mark of the Cobras, today's episode explores Bill’s choice to put himself in greater danger,...

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we look back on the February 1965 letters from Bill Lowie, a month marked by financial strain, family tensions, and the harsh realities of war. From poker losses and promotion party expenses to evacuating wounded civilians after a Viet Cong mortar attack, Bill’s words reveal the delicate balance between duty, personal responsibility, and the emotional toll...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi grapples with the financial strains of war, admitting to a poker loss and an obligatory promotion party expense that leaves him unable to send his paycheck home. His frustration is evident—not just with himself, but with a family dispute over a car that threatens to become another burden. But the weight of money troubles pales in comparison to the devastating...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes home about the long-awaited arrival of Suzie’s ring, his newly earned air medals, and the ever-present dangers surrounding his unit. He jokes about Suzie forgetting to congratulate him on making chief, but his letter also carries the weight of war—mentioning an outpost overrun just miles away. Accompanied by a photograph of soldiers gathered around a h...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie writes home about the growing pressures of war, from sleepless nights under mortar fire to a troop-lift mission that left two aircraft shot up. Amidst the tension, he finds small comforts in letters from home, a reminder of the life waiting for him beyond Vietnam. Accompanied by a blurred, dreamlike photo of an early morning troop lift, today’s episode...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi grapples with the aftermath of a helicopter crash that shakes his confidence as a pilot. Writing to Suzie, he admits, “I was so stunned for a while I couldn’t figure out what happened.” With over 1,100 flight hours under his belt, the incident forces him to question his abilities and step back from his Instructor Pilot role. Meanwhile, a routine trip to Saigo...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes about what he calls “the blackest day of my life.” While practicing autorotations—a critical emergency maneuver—his helicopter crashes, leaving him shaken and questioning his future as an Instructor Pilot. Though he and his platoon leader survive, the accident weighs heavily on him, not just as a dangerous moment but as a blow to his confidence and ide...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill reflects on how the war is being portrayed back home, mentioning that his unit might be featured in the Orlando Sentinel and that an upcoming awards ceremony could be covered as well. He describes how their commanding officer made “a big production” out of their orders, complete with pictures and press coverage. While Bill’s letters often reveal the strain of...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill shares news of his upcoming promotion—but his reaction is telling. He isn’t concerned with the ceremony or recognition, just the extra $40 a month and the new title of “Chief.” Like many warrant officers, he saw promotions as more of a bureaucratic formality than a milestone, focused more on the practical benefits than the prestige. He also writes about the c...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes home about the restrictions placed on his unit, the ongoing tension of 30-minute alerts, and the attack on Sóc Trăng. His letter reflects the strain of waiting for the inevitable, the frustration of being cut off from town, and the small joys of receiving Valentine’s cards from home. He also shares news of his long-awaited promotion—one that brings mor...

In this special compilation episode of Dearest Suzie, we present the full Finding My Grief series—an intimate exploration of loss, memory, and connection to my grandfather. Across these episodes, I reflect on what it means to inherit a loved one’s things, to uncover pieces of their past, and to navigate the complex emotions that come with preserving their story. Through the things in my grandparen...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes home about the latest attacks in Vietnam, including a strike on Soc Trang and an outpost dangerously close to his own base. His letter reveals the growing tension among the men—watching the firefight from their helicopters, waiting for their turn to be hit. He speaks of fear, exhaustion, and frustration, but also of love—sending thoughts of home, respo...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie writes home with the weight of war on his shoulders. The Viet Cong attack on Pleiku has shaken his unit, leaving them anxiously waiting for casualty reports and wondering if they’ll be next. His words—“It is hopeless”—capture the frustration and exhaustion of soldiers caught in an escalating conflict. Accompanied by a photo of Charlie, the mischievous b...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes to Suzie about financial concerns, a possible trip to Bangkok, and his efforts to send money home despite unexpected expenses. He reassures her that they are managing and reminds her not to stress about savings while they are apart. His letter, unfinished due to a missing page, leaves lingering questions about his thoughts in that moment. Accompanied b...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill sends a short letter home, enclosing their income tax return and expressing how much he misses his family. Meanwhile, the next part of Finding My Grief delves into the ways Popi treated each of his sons differently—and how those differences shaped their lives. Accompanied by a striking aerial photo of Bien Hoa after a Viet Cong attack, today’s episode explore...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie writes home during a rare lull in missions due to the unofficial truce for the Vietnamese New Year. He shares updates about his instrument flight renewal, receiving his first air medal, and his anticipation of transitioning to the armed platoon. His letters reflect both exhaustion and the relentless passage of time as he counts down the days until his r...

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we reflect on the January 1965 letters from Bill Lowie, capturing a month filled with uncertainty, hardship, and resilience. From financial struggles and missed holidays to heightened alerts and the looming threat of attacks, Bill’s words reveal the stark realities of war. As tensions escalate , Bill navigates life on continuous standby. Amidst the stress,...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes home about receiving another letter from Suzie, buying a slide projector, and arranging for a sapphire to be sent home. He also looks ahead to a possible promotion and reflects on missing his family. Accompanied by a photo of a figure walking through a rice paddy, today’s episode continues the Finding My Grief series, exploring family legacies, lost co...

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 wound...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we explore a letter from January 25, 1965, in which Bill Lowie details his financial juggling and shares vivid, often humorous accounts of his dining experiences at the officer’s club in Vietnam. From planning thoughtful gifts for family members to navigating the costs of club dues, meals, and Christmas bills, Bill’s letter reveals the personal and logistical chal...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we continue with Part 2 of Finding My Grief and hear Bill Lowie’s reflections on family, connection, and the quieter moments of war. His letter to Suzie, dated January 23, 1965, offers a glimpse into his life at the time—filled with letters from home, quiet troop lifts, and cautious optimism about upcoming R&R plans. Accompanied by an aerial shot showing build...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we dive into a heartfelt exploration of grief, beginning with a letter from Bill Lowie dated January 22, 1965. Bill writes to Suzie with a heavy heart, longing for her letters and sharing the latest from Vietnam, including harrowing accounts of helicopter accidents and gunship incidents. Accompanied by a deeply personal piece of creative nonfiction titled "Finding...

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill Lowie’s letter from January 18, 1965, touches on the joys and frustrations of mail delivery in Vietnam, the quiet tension of recent troop lifts, and his fondness for family photos. He reflects on a fruitcake from home, the boys’ pictures, and his gratitude for regular letters from his wife. The episode also follows the resolution of the Bob Hope Christmas Spe...