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 the next morning. The uncertainty is wearing thin, but he’s keeping his sense of humor.

This episode explores the duffle bag as more than just gear—it was a soldier’s portable world. From Civil War haversacks to the barrel-style bags of Vietnam, military packs have long carried not just equipment but connection: letters, photos, comforts from home. For Popi, that bag was home base. With most of his belongings already on their way back to the States, the duffle held what mattered: toothbrush, socks, and letters from Suzie.

What’s Covered:

• Popi’s reflections on living out of a bag and counting down to home


• The military history of duffle bags and what soldiers carried


• How small items became emotional lifelines for deployed troops


• What the duffle bag reveals about mobility, survival, and memory in wartime

📷 Featured Photo: Popi stands with three friends on a wet tarmac, bags between them. The location is uncertain—possibly stateside—but the moment is clear: they’re about to move.

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