Best Alexander Lowie Podcasts (2025)

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All Episodes, August 1965 47:07

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24d ago47:07

47:07

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we reach the final stretch of Popi’s tour. August 1965 was a month of counting days, packing bags, and fighting nerves. Stationed in Da Nang, Popi spent most of the month in limbo, flying only a handful of missions while waiting on official word of his return home. His letters are full of restlessness, doubt, and f…

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Episode 122: Dearest Suzie Finale 16:47

29d ago16:47

16:47

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…

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Episode 121: Undated | Looking to the Sky 6:03

1M ago6:03

6:03

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes an undated letter from Vietnam. Charlie, his mischievous monkey, has finally been locked up after stealing candy from a care package. His cage now sits just outside Popi’s hootch, becoming a regular attraction on base. But even this lighthearted story carries weight, about control, comfort, and how we t…

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Episode 120: 1965-08-16 | Next Stop: Rucker 6:38

1M ago6:38

6:38

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on August 16, 1965. His orders still haven’t come through, but the destination is set: Fort Rucker, Alabama. He’s already packed, ready to ship his belongings, and growing restless as the end of his tour draws closer. Though he isn’t thrilled about the post, he admits there are worse places, and at leas…

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Episode 119: 1965-08-13 | A Too-Small Tablecloth 6:36

1M ago6:36

6:36

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on August 13, 1965, from a villa in Saigon. He’s groggy, hungry, and still waiting on the orders that will send him home. But in between complaints about raunchy coffee and missing breakfast, there’s something else stirring: thoughtfulness. With only weeks left in-country, he’s begun souvenir shopping, …

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Episode 118: 1965-08-09 | Packing Out 6:39

2M ago6:39

6:39

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on August 9, 1965, just after returning to Vinh Long. It’s his final stop before heading home, and the tone of the letter reflects that shift, lighter, focused, and filled with anticipation. He’s back at his own desk, finally able to write with ease. His first priority? Packing. He describes buying a la…

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Episode 117: 1965-08-06 | Not Meant to Live in Ink 6:00

2M ago6:00

6:00

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on August 6, 1965, just two days before he’s set to return to Vinh Long. His mission up north, “a mess” as he calls it, is finally over, and with less than two months left in Vietnam, his thoughts are turning homeward. He shares a small victory: tired of waiting for supplies, he buys a Vietnamese four-c…

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Episode 116: 1965-08-02 | Waiting to Write 6:13

2M ago6:13

6:13

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on August 2, 1965. He’s still stuck in limbo without orders, unsure where to send his letters, New Jersey or Florida, and frustrated by the instability of his temporary base. Writing with a pencil instead of his usual pen, he reflects on how hard it’s been to write while on the move. With less than two …

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All Episodes, July 1965 43:55

2M ago43:55

43:55

In this compilation episode of Dearest Suzie, we revisit the letters of July 1965—a month of unbearable heat, long missions, and mounting exhaustion as Popi enters the final stretch of his tour. Stationed between Da Nang and Quang Ngai, he writes of 36-hour shifts, bad food, absent mail, and growing uncertainty about where he’ll be sent next. Amid …

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Episode 115: 1965-07-24 | Not in the Movie 6:40

2M ago6:40

6:40

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on July 24, 1965, during a rare day off. He’s not sure where Suzie is, in Florida or still in New Jersey, so he’s sending his letters home and hoping they find her. There’s still no word on his orders, but he’s hoping to leave Quang Ngai by August 8. The delay matters not just for him, but for Charlie, …

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Episode 114: 1965-07-22 | Your World In A Bag 5:43

2M ago5:43

5:43

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on July 22, 1965. He’s still living out of a duffle bag, waiting for orders, and counting down the days—just 62 left in-country. Suzie’s letter has arrived, and he’s glad to hear she’s enjoying her vacation despite everything. Things have been quiet for the moment but there’s a big operation planned for…

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Episode 113: 1965-07-19 | Faith in War 6:23

2M ago6:23

6:23

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes on July 19, 1965. The Viet Cong have been active, and he’s running on little rest. He’s relieved to hear Suzie is feeling better and jokes about the boys going to Baptist Bible school, a light moment that reflects the mix of his Southern Baptist background and Suzie’s Northern, Catholic roots. With 60 d…

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Episode 112: 1965-07-13 | The Long Way Home 6:53

2M ago6:53

6:53

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes from Quang Ngai on July 13, 1965, reflecting on the grind of daily missions and the long shadow of homecoming. He’s finally received mail and it comes as a massive relief. He’s been worried about Suzie's health and the boys and he’s already thinking ahead to a real vacation together. He still has no off…

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Episode 111: 1965-07-08 | Little Games 7:00

3M ago7:00

7:00

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes from Quang Ngai on July 8, 1965. He’s recently been relocated and is settling in for what he assumes will be a 30-day extension. Still no mail has arrived, and the heat is nearly unbearable, so intense he nearly collapsed from heat exhaustion. But despite all that, this letter carries a more playful ton…

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Shooting an Elephant in Vietnam: Full Piece 17:29

3M ago17:29

17:29

In this extended episode of Dearest Suzie, we take a deep dive into one of the most unsettling intersections of memory, military routine, and moral reckoning. Sparked by a real Stars and Stripes article from August 1965 and shaped by Popi’s letters and postwar reflections, “Shooting an Elephant in Vietnam” uses fiction to get closer to a kind of tr…

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Episode 110: 1965-07-06 | Thirty-Six Hours and Counting 6:42

3M ago6:42

6:42

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Bill writes on July 6, 1965, after completing a brutal 36-hour stretch of non-stop duty. He’s exhausted, running on fumes, and facing a major disappointment, what should have been a return to Vinh Long has turned into another 30-day extension. Instead of heading home, he’s being sent to Quang Ngai, an even more rem…

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All Episodes, June 1965 1:21:41

3M ago1:21:41

1:21:41

In this special episode of Dearest Suzie, we turn the page to June 1965—a month that captures the emotional, physical, and moral exhaustion of war. From routine missions to the haunting fallout of Agent Orange and battlefield guilt, June gives us one of the most layered portraits of Popi yet. It’s the month he leaves Vinh Long for Da Nang, starts c…

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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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 —…