Episode 029: 1965-01-02 | New Year, Same War

Dearest Suzie

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we look at a January 2, 1965, letter from Bill Lowie. Writing from Vietnam, Popi reflects on a year that holds the promise of reunion, shares updates about his daily life, and recounts a thoughtful gesture—donating a puzzle to a local orphanage after completing it.

Popi’s words capture the quiet routine of a soldier’s downtime, interspersed with brief missions, lingering colds, and moments of connection to loved ones back home. We also explore a family story about a pecan pie that didn’t survive the journey to Vietnam, offering a glimpse into Mema’s youthful determination to bring a taste of home to her husband.

Accompanied by a photo of a child chasing cows near a helicopter in a field, today’s episode highlights the juxtaposition of innocence and war, as well as a humorous family story about Mema’s attempt to mail a pecan pie to Vietnam.

What’s Covered:

• Popi’s reflections on the new year and his hope to reunite with family.
• The significance of local orphanages and Popi’s connection to them.
• A humorous story about Mema mailing a pecan pie to Vietnam.
• The everyday challenges of downtime, illness, and waiting for payday.

📷 Featured Photo: A child chasing cows in a field near a helicopter, juxtaposing innocence and the presence of war.

🔔 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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