Episode 057: 1965-03-06 | Two Helicopters Down

In this episode of Dearest Suzie, Popi writes from the edge of exhaustion—reflecting on a terrible day for the Cobras. Two helicopters lost. Four men killed. Though he doesn't linger on the tragedy, the weight of it lingers between the lines. Even as he processes the loss of close friends, he holds fast to small routines—checking on the pet monkeys, asking after the boys, and reaching across the distance to keep life at home within reach. Accompanied by a photo of Charlie and Doll in their homemade cage, today's episode captures the quiet ways soldiers tried to carry on—finding small moments of care and connection in the midst of grief. What’s Covered: The dangers faced by helicopter crews in Vietnam Popi’s first direct encounter with loss in the armed platoon The emotional weight behind what’s left unsaid in his letters The role of animals and routine as small acts of resistance during wartime 📷 Featured Photo: Charlie and Doll, Popi's pet monkeys, confined to their cage—an image of care, companionship, and the small attempts to maintain normalcy in a chaotic world. 🔔 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 #HueyHelicopter #CobraPlatoon #MilitaryHistory #WarLetters #FamilyHistory #InheritTheStories #AnthropologyOfWar #VietnamMonkeys #PhotosFromVietnam