In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from Vietnam with a mix of weariness, routine, and yearning. It’s May 8, 1965, and while most of his day is spent giving instrument instruction and catching up with familiar faces over lunch, the heart of the letter lies in a quiet reflection about home. Suzie is planning a summer trip with the boys, and Popi wishes he could be there to go with them — not to stop them, but to be part of the picture. To show off the boys. And to show off himself, just a little.
It’s a touching moment of vulnerability and pride, the kind that many soldiers tucked into letters during wartime. For Popi, returning home isn’t just about leaving the war behind, it’s about stepping back into a world where he’s more than a pilot or a platoon officer. He’s a dad. A husband. A man with stories, scars, and medals who still wants to feel like he belongs in a normal, peaceful life.
Throughout the letter, he also touches on practical matters, insurance payments, gifts for the kids, the possibility of shirts instead of jackets, and checks in on friends and family who haven’t written back. But the emotional center is clear: he misses his family deeply and longs for the simple joy of being together again, proud and whole.
What’s Covered:
- Bill’s May 8 letter from Vinh Long
- Reflections on homecoming and the emotional significance of being "seen"
- The cultural context of Vietnam War returnees and their transitions back to civilian life
- A subtle look at pride, memory, and the hope of reunion
📷 Featured Photo: Six men lounging outside a hootch in swimwear and flip flops, relaxing in the sun — a small pocket of calm during their time overseas, possibly taken the same day Popi wrote this letter.
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