When you're a kid you have these notions about how things are goin to be, Billy said. You get a little older and you pull back some on that. I think you just wind up tryin to minimize the pain. Anyway this country aint the same. Nor anything in it. The war changed everthing. I dont think people even know it yet.
Billy reflects on the disillusionment that comes with growing up, suggesting that childhood dreams often fade as we face reality. He notes that with age, people aim to reduce their suffering and come to terms with how things have changed. This perspective highlights the bittersweet nature of experience and the inevitable loss of innocence.
Furthermore, Billy observes that the country and its people have been profoundly altered by war, indicating a deep and lasting impact that may not yet be fully acknowledged. His statement emphasizes a collective uncertainty about the extent of these changes, suggesting a future where the consequences of conflict continue to resonate and shape society.
