In this episode of Dearest Suzie, I write not just about Popi’s time in Vietnam, but about everything that’s come after. Sixty years after his letters home, I’m the same age he was in 1965 and I took the time to write him a letter of my own, describing my experiences working on this show. This isn’t a scripted history lesson or a dramatic retelling, it’s a conversation across time. I share what life’s been like since he passed, how much he’s missed, what I’ve learned from his words, and what it meant to help his voice live on through this podcast.
Alongside that, I reflect on the meaning of legacy, family, and memory. I visit Popi’s grave at Florida National Cemetery, explore some newly uncovered VHS tapes from the 1980s, and speak directly to Mema, whose voice and resilience shaped every part of this story. This episode marks the end of Dearest Suzie, but it’s not a goodbye. It’s a "Thank You." For listening, for remembering, and for keeping the love alive. Thank you for allowing me to inherit this story.
What’s Covered:
- A letter to Popi, 60 years after his own
- Visiting Florida National Cemetery
- The meaning behind coins on military graves
- Unearthed VHS tapes and old family footage
- A letter to Mema, and her fight against cancer
- Reflections on war, legacy, faith, and family
📷 Featured Photo: A photo of Mema and Popi decades ago, dressed for a military ball.
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