Episode 017: 1964-11-09 | The Flare and the Nerves

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, we delve into Bill Lowie’s November 9th diary entry, capturing a raw and tragic side of the Vietnam War. Bill recounts a troop lift under fire, the confusion of battle, and the unimaginable toll that came when a bird strike was mistaken for enemy fire—leading to an attack on civilian structures. The entry reflects the ongoing tension and emotional strain that soldiers faced as innocence, guilt, and fear intertwined. Accompanied by a blurry photograph of a young Vietnamese girl smiling for the camera, this episode also explores Popi’s own complex feelings about children during and after his time in Vietnam. Despite his years as a grandfather, the memories of conflict and the guilt that haunted him seem never to have left. What’s Covered: Bill Lowie’s November 9-10, 1964 entries, detailing the daily dangers of troop lifts and outpost life The heavy impact of mistaken identity in combat, blurring lines between civilians and combatants Popi’s post-war guilt and deepened empathy for children, symbolized by a poignant story about his desire to adopt an orphan Reflections on Popi's lasting impact on his family, shaped by his experience and his unresolved memories from Vietnam 📷 Featured Photo: A young Vietnamese girl captured in a grainy, endearing snapshot, possibly one of the children Popi felt compelled to help during his deployment. 🔔 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. Follow Dearest Suzie on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1GwqPyO061k0iaQRKwfjoQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearestsuziepodcast/ X: https://x.com/DearestSuziePod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dearestsuziepodcast 📧 Have a story to share or want to reach out? Email me at [email protected] — I’d love to hear from you! VietnamWar #ChildhoodInWar #SoldiersStory #MilitaryHistory #InheritTheStories