Best Alexander Lowie Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 109: 1965-07-02 | War At Home In Middle Georgia 12:22

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1d ago12:22

12:22

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes on July 2, 1965, sharing a short note from Da Nang. He’s still flying missions from dawn until dark, suffering through the relentless heat, and counting the days until he returns to Vinh Long. He mentions a surprise Viet Cong bombing on the airfield and notes that their unit still hasn’t received new or…

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Episode 108: 1965-06-30 | His Shoes 15:32

3d ago15:32

15:32

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes to Suzie on June 30, 1965, from Da Nang, exhausted from a grueling work schedule that has him flying from dawn until after dark. Though short and weary, his letter offers updates on family finances and hints at a possible return to Vinh Long by early July. What stands out most, however, is the contrast …

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Episode 107: 1965-06-27 | The USO: A Home Away From Home 9:15

6d ago9:15

9:15

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes from Da Nang on June 27, 1965, using stationery supplied by the USO, which prompts a reflection on the organization’s unique role in the Vietnam War and beyond. While waiting on maintenance and new orders, he shares his appreciation for the Da Nang USO center, describing it as a welcome break from the i…

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Episode 106: 1965-06-24 | Oral History Hiccups 8:05

9d ago8:05

8:05

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from Da Nang on June 24, 1965, after a long, grueling week of missions, including the evacuation of a town and a terrifying mortar attack while refueling. Exhausted but still counting down the days, he mentions finally catching some rest and responds to Suzie’s letter, all while quietly processing the l…

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Episode 105: 1965-06-16 | Flying Sick in Da Nang 6:36

17d ago6:36

6:36

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from Da Nang after completing his move north, catching Suzie up on mail, family updates, and a growing sense of fatigue, both physical and emotional. He’s sick with his first cold since arriving in Vietnam but continues flying missions daily due to a shortage of pilots. The letter is full of little dome…

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Episode 104: 1965-06-11 | Shooting an Elephant in Vietnam Pt. 3 8:41

22d ago8:41

8:41

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from Da Nang on June 11, 1965, sharing that he’s finally made the move north after his sudden orders. He’s relieved to see familiar faces and to settle—at least for now—into slightly better quarters with hot water and decent food. But even this small reprieve is colored by uncertainty: mail delivery is …

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Episode 103: 1965-06-07 | Shooting an Elephant in Vietnam Pt. 2 9:45

26d ago9:45

9:45

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on June 7, 1965, with a heart heavy from homesickness. He had called home that morning, only to be met with the sweet but painful plea from his son Brian: “Please come home.” It hit him hard. But there’s no time to dwell—orders came in suddenly: pack up, move out. By tomorrow he’d be heading to Da Nang …

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Episode 102: 1965-06-05 | Shooting an Elephant in Vietnam Pt. 1 5:17

28d ago5:17

5:17

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on June 5, 1965, from a moment of anticipation—he’s about to go on R&R in Saigon. But even that, he discovers, comes with its own tangle of logistics and disappointment. He’s learned that the free seven-day leave he’d hoped to take in Nha Trang isn’t available unless he leaves the country. Rather than b…

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Episode 101: 1965-06-04 | In Search of a Vietnam Hero 18:26

29d ago18:26

18:26

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi’s June 4, 1965, letter is a short but telling glimpse into a week of steady missions and routine hardships. He’s worn out after long days, reflecting on the slow grind of war and the small comforts of home, a letter from Suzie, an update on car payments, and those custom shirts he finally managed to send out. …

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Episode 100: 1965-06-02 | Inheriting More Than Letters 9:14

1M ago9:14

9:14

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on June 2, 1965, sounding exhausted after another nine-hour day in the air. His letter is short but full of those familiar, loving updates, details about paying off a used car, finally mailing the shirts he had made for Suzie and the boys, and worrying whether they’ll fit. Yet beneath Popi’s routine wor…

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All Episodes, May 1965 1:50:22

1M ago1:50:22

1:50:22

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we look back on the letters from May 1965—a month marked by long flights, uneventful operations, administrative headaches, and the persistent strain of being far from home. Popi writes often about mail, money, and military logistics: insurance policies, bank balances, and the arrival of his 13th Air Medal. …

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Episode 099: 1965-05-31 | The Parachuting Monkey 6:52

1M ago6:52

6:52

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on May 31, 1965, during a stretch of unusually quiet days. It’s Memorial Day, and though officially off-duty, the men are restless—itching for something to do. With no missions on the schedule, they head to the range just to kill time. Popi is still waiting on the custom shirts he had made for Suzie and…

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Episode 098: 1965-05-29 | Knights of the Air 6:48

1M ago6:48

6:48

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on May 29, 1965, from a moment of rare quiet. There’s no mission that day, just rest and reflection—and a bit of flair. The letter comes on what he jokingly calls “sexy paper,” printed with silhouettes of a Huey helicopter and a white knight chess piece. These symbols represent Popi’s unit: the 114th Av…

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Episode 097: 1965-05-28 | When You’ve Seen One 6:52

1M ago6:52

6:52

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes with a tone that feels heavier, wearier. He opens with warmth, thanking Suzie for pictures of the kids and slipping in a flirtatious remark he quickly retracts. But the letter shifts quickly. He’s just learned that Ed Piper—a man Suzie knew—was killed in a mid-air collision at Quinhon. Popi doesn’t dwel…

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Episode 096: 1965-05-25 | It Won’t Be Long Now 6:09

1M ago6:09

6:09

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on May 25 with a rare sense of warmth and optimism—thanks, in part, to receiving two letters from Suzie in a single day. He mentions that his brother Jim, a Marine, is being sent to the Dominican Republic for a conflict unfolding at the same time as Vietnam acting as part of the wider Cold War logic tha…

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Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil | All Episodes 35:11

1M ago35:11

35:11

In this personal narrative episode of Dearest Suzie, we step away from the war letters and into a birthday dinner in suburban Florida—a setting that slowly reveals a decades-spanning story of intergenerational trauma, systemic failure, and the quiet desperation that leads ordinary people to seek help from extraordinary places. What begins as a quie…

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Episode 095: 1965-05-22 | A White Knight, Not the Snake 7:03

1M ago7:03

7:03

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes about a surreal mission supporting South Vietnamese troops on a disputed island off the coast of Ha Tien. While the island was claimed by both Vietnam and Cambodia, the mission itself felt more like a break than a battle. Back at base, his thoughts turn to home: a surprise gift for Billy, who hasn’t mis…

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Episode 094: 1965-05-20 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil, Finale 8:22

1M ago8:22

8:22

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from Vinh Long on May 20 after a rare slow day, sharing simple pleasures and family pride. He compliments Billy’s school paper, jokes about toddler haircuts, and eagerly awaits new photos from home. With little news from the field beyond a trip to the range and an upcoming U.S.O. show, Popi admits there…

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Episode 093: 1965-05-18 | A Quagmire on the Horizon 5:51

2M ago5:51

5:51

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on May 18, sharing a quiet day in Vinh Long marked by a short operation and a long-awaited letter from home. His tone is warm and affectionate, filled with light updates about insurance policies, family visits, and his role as an instrument instructor. Though officially recognized by the Army as an airc…

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Episode 092: 1965-05-17 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil Pt. 5 9:21

2M ago9:21

9:21

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on a much-needed break after several intense flying days. He’s still receiving letters from home and sends updates about camera gear, anniversary gifts, and the lack of desire to ever extend his tour in Vietnam—"not for all the tea in China," as he puts it. Between updates about taxes, slide projectors,…

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Episode 091: 1965-05-15 | Popi’s Souvenir Rifle 10:48

2M ago10:48

10:48

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on a rare day off, reflecting on a grueling two-day operation that left over 200 Viet Cong reported dead. It’s May 15, 1965, and though the battle is over, the war lingers—in photographs, memories, and a souvenir rifle he brings back from the field. Popi casually mentions photographing the aftermath and…

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Episode 090: 1965-05-13 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil Pt. 4 9:53

2M ago9:53

9:53

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes after an exhausting day—17 hours of flying, including a major operation that left 125 Viet Cong reported killed and one American wounded. It’s May 13, 1965, and his fatigue seeps into every word of the letter. Despite being overwhelmed, he takes time to connect: recounting a chance meeting with Captain …

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Episode 089: 1965-05-11 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil Pt. 3 9:23

2M ago9:23

9:23

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from an unusually quiet night in Vinh Long. It’s May 11, 1965, and for once, he’s alone on base. While the rest of his unit is off at Ben Hoa responding to an attack that left five Americans dead, Popi remains behind after a supply run to Saigon, teaching new pilots and preparing for a farewell party. T…

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An Interview with Suzie 1:02:32

2M ago1:02:32

1:02:32

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we step away from the battlefield and into the memory, voice, and wisdom of the woman who saved the letters. Recorded over Zoom, this episode features a heartfelt conversation with my grandmother, Susan “Mema” Lowie, about her life before, during, and after the Vietnam War. It’s a deeply personal portrait o…

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Episode 088: 1965-05-08 | Showing Off 7:52

2M ago7:52

7:52

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, an…

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Episode 087: 1965-05-07 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil Pt. 2 8:54

2M ago8:54

8:54

In today’s episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes during a quiet afternoon, though the tone is edged with tension. The Viet Cong have been growing more active, and six helicopters from his platoon were damaged in a recent attack, yet thankfully, no one was hurt. Between missions and radio static, he’s listening to “Country Corner” on AFN and teasing…

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Episode 086: 1965-05-05 | Finding Popi’s Camera 10:27

2M ago10:27

10:27

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we hear from Popi as the rainy season begins in Vinh Long. His letter is calm, full of updates from a quiet day — a trip to the range, a short note about mailing gifts, and a few thoughts on the Hong Kong R&R he’s decided not to take. The real excitement in today’s letter, though, comes when he casually mentions pi…

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Episode 085: 1965-05-04 | Fish, Pharmaceuticals, & Phil Pt. 1 8:47

2M ago8:47

8:47

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we hear from Popi on May 4, 1965, as he responds to three letters from Suzie and shares how much he loved the photos of the boys. There’s no mission report today, no combat update — just a quiet letter about family, missed birthdays, and the difficulty of shopping for gifts in a place where anything nice has to be …

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Episode 084: 1965-05-02 | Navy Bombers 6:40

2M ago6:40

6:40

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from a quiet day in the air, flying support for a Navy bombing run. From his Huey, he watches jets drop 500-pound bombs across the landscape — a moment that sparks reflection on the uneasy collaboration between different branches of the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. While Popi’s experience might…

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All Episodes, April 1965 1:20:06

2M ago1:20:06

1:20:06

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we look back on the April 1965 letters from Bill Lowie—a month defined by loss, guilt, long stretches of boredom, and small moments of unexpected joy. Now firmly settled into his new role with the Cobras, Popi spent April flying missions that ranged from uneventful to harrowing, often with little warning as…

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Episode 083: 1965-04-30 | Cry On Their Shoulder 7:01

2M ago7:01

7:01

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes home after what he calls a "better outcome" in the field. A large Viet Cong weapons cache has been captured, and while the victory lifts spirits briefly, there’s no triumph in his tone — just exhaustion. One day before, he witnessed the death of a friend during a failed recovery mission. Now, he’s tryin…

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Episode 082: 1965-04-29 | The Worst Letter 7:17

2M ago7:17

7:17

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we reach a letter that many in my family consider the most difficult to read. Dated April 29, 1965, this letter doesn’t relay an ordinary mission or a humorous aside. It’s a moment of personal reckoning. Popi writes in the aftermath of a mission that left two of his friends dead — and he blames himself. The day had…

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Episode 081: 1965-04-26 | Military Industrial Complexities 7:41

2M ago7:41

7:41

In this episode, Popi writes after a long day chasing Viet Cong forces through the heat. His tone is dry, understated, tired. He asks about the boys, about birthday parties and photographs, about sizes and gifts and letters never received. In his own words, the work is “not boring, really, but not something that you can write home about.” And yet —…

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Episode 080: 1965-04-24 | Swimming Monkeys 6:12

2M ago6:12

6:12

In this episode, Popi writes on a sweltering day in Vinh Long, where the only mission was beating the heat. With no combat updates or news from the front, today’s letter slows down, offering a glimpse of life in between the action, where even the monkeys are desperate for relief. From Easter reflections to tales of Charlie and Doll’s makeshift swim…

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Episode 079: 1965-04-23 | The Nuclear Option 6:12

2M ago6:12

6:12

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on April 23, 1965 after finally receiving a long-awaited letter from home. He reflects on family updates, a recent alert mission that came too late, and yet another upcoming awards ceremony — this one to add four oak leaf clusters to his Air Medal. In the same week, American military leaders in Honolulu…

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Episode 078: 1965-04-21 | The Viet Cong Rest Area 9:40

2M ago9:40

9:40

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on April 21, 1965, during a lull in operations. The letter itself is quiet — just a few notes about office renovations, a short range trip, and his ongoing frustration with the mail system. Still, even in a slow week, he finds ways to stay connected to home. He ends the letter with a simple dream: when …

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Episode 077: 1965-04-19 | Some Old Friends 6:27

3M ago6:27

6:27

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi returns from two nights of R and R in Saigon and slips into an easy rhythm of gossip and small comforts. There are no firefights in this letter. Instead we get pizza in the city, an afternoon at the Saigon Zoo, and late‑night stories with old friends like Al Guthrie and Fox. He even chuckles at the news that a…

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Episode 076: 1965-04-17 | People of the Landscape 6:32

3M ago6:32

6:32

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi’s letter from April 17, 1965 takes us to a medal ceremony in Bạc Liêu, where he receives the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. The moment should feel triumphant, yet his tone is subdued. He stands in the heat, listens while his citation is read in Vietnamese, and has a wreath placed around his neck by young…

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Episode 075: 1965-04-15 | The Cross of Gallantry 5:04

3M ago5:04

5:04

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on April 15, 1965, reflecting on another quiet day in Vietnam, a general escort mission, and his mounting boredom with downtime. He assumed that transferring to the Cobras would mean more time in the air, but instead, he's stuck in the long stretch of waiting — between missions, between letters, between…

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Episode 074: 1965-04-13 | The Cost of Waiting 5:39

3M ago5:39

5:39

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes after a long day that started with a trip to the rocket range and ended with the rescue and repair of a downed helicopter. His friend, Louis Litt, made a safe emergency landing, and by nightfall, the ship was patched up and flown out — a rare win in a war where victories are hard to come by. But the let…

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Episode 073: 1965-04-12 | A Holiday Without Candy 5:08

3M ago5:08

5:08

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes home on April 12, 1965, with updates about quiet missions, missed holidays, and an underwhelming U.S.O. show. His tone is light and warm, full of care for Suzie and the boys. He’s glad they bought good shoes, hopes for pictures soon, and gently jokes that the cost of Easter candy might not be worth it. …

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Episode 072: 1965-04-11 | Town Is Off Limits 6:25

3M ago6:25

6:25

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, a night out turns dangerous after a fight between American troops and a South Vietnamese Marine escalates into violence. Popi wasn’t there, but the fallout is immediate. Bars are shot up, one man is stabbed, another beaten, and town is placed off limits indefinitely. “It is a shame,” he writes, “that we have to go …

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Episode 071: 1965-04-09 | Ray from Lorain 5:46

3M ago5:46

5:46

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes from a quieter moment in Vietnam, just days after attending memorial services for three fellow soldiers killed in action. One of them was Ray Rupcic, a pilot from Lorain, Ohio, and a member of Popi’s original unit. His death, and the absence of his recovered body, hangs over the letter with a quiet weig…

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Episode 070: 1965-04-08 | Stars and Stripes 5:12

3M ago5:12

5:12

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes from Saigon after a quiet day spent retrieving helicopters to replace ones lost in action. Though brief, his letter includes a small gesture that opens up a much broader reflection: he encloses a map from the Stars and Stripes military newspaper, hoping it helps Suzie follow what’s happening overseas. A…

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All Episodes, March 1965 1:28:27

3M ago1:28:27

1:28:27

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we look back on the March 1965 letters from Bill Lowie—a month that marked a profound shift in both his role in Vietnam and the risks he faced. After months of flying troop transports and medevac missions, March was the month Popi officially joined the Cobras, placing him directly in the fight against the V…

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Episode 069: 1965-04-01 | The Heat and the Hesitation 8:04

3M ago8:04

8:04

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we follow Popi through one of the most morally complex days of his deployment. Writing on April Fools’ Day, 1965, he begins with heat and headaches, but quickly moves into a harrowing story of hesitation — where instincts, orders, and ethics collide. After flying over a minefield and narrowly avoiding disaster, Pop…

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Episode 068: 1965-03-31 | The Bombing of Saigon 5:38

3M ago5:38

5:38

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes in the wake of the bombing of the American Embassy in Saigon — one of the deadliest attacks against Americans in Vietnam to that point. His letter folds the threat of violence into the rhythms of everyday life, moving between worries about family finances and the sleepless wait for an attack that never …

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Episode 067: 1965-03-29 | Bangkok Souvenirs 8:41

3M ago8:41

8:41

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi returns from a short but meaningful trip to Bangkok, his letter brimming with souvenirs and stories. With just two nights away from Vietnam, he fills his time gathering gifts — delicate silks, bronze dinnerware, and a princess ring — all chosen with Suzie and the boys in mind. But beneath the excitement of sho…

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Episode 066: 1965-03-23 | Halfway Home 7:08

3M ago7:08

7:08

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi marks a quiet but significant milestone — the halfway point of his tour. Six months down, six to go. His letter from March 23, 1965, touches on the routines of life at Vinh Long — training flights, troop lifts, and the growing menagerie of animals that fill the compound. But even in the stillness, the war ling…

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Episode 065: 1965-03-22 | Stories That Survive 5:24

3M ago5:24

5:24

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, the letter itself is short — just a few lines about quiet days, card games, and Popi's plans to bring Charlie the monkey home. But it’s the stories that surround this letter — the ones passed down through generations — that offer a glimpse into the weight of what went unsaid. Two stories have survived about Popi’s …