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Episode 059: 1965-03-09 | Damn Dirty Words
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In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes one of his most personal letters yet—grappling with family tensions, money troubles, and the loneliness of separation. While training for combat half a world away, he's still trying to mediate disagreements between Suzie and his parents, all while worrying about whether his family has enough to get by. The letter gives us a rare window into the everyday burdens that followed soldiers to Vietnam—the struggles that didn't make it into history books but shaped their lives just the same.
Accompanied by a photo of women in bright white dresses and conical hats carrying briefcases through town, today's episode highlights the quieter side of war—the unseen emotional labor of balancing family, finances, and distance while serving overseas.
What’s Covered:
- The tension between duty to family at home and duty as a soldier abroad
- Financial struggles and the realities of supporting a family on military pay
- How soldiers remained wrapped up in domestic life even from thousands of miles away
- A humorous glimpse into Mema's famous sailor mouth—and how Popi tried to keep her in line
📷 Featured Photo: A group of women in bright white dresses and conical hats carrying briefcases through town—an everyday scene that caught Popi's eye and offered a rare glimpse into civilian life.
🔔 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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📧 Have a story to share or want to reach out? Email me at [email protected] — I’d love to hear from you!
VietnamWar #MilitaryLetters #FamilyHistory #HueyHelicopter #WarLetters #MilitaryHistory #Vietnam1965 #InheritTheStories #HistoryPodcast #AnthropologyOfWar
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