The phrase "where are the snowdens of yesteryear?" from Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22" evokes a sense of longing for the past and nostalgia for lost innocence. It reflects the characters' struggles with the absurdities and horrors of war, highlighting how the experiences they endure change their perceptions and identities over time. This question serves as a poignant reminder of what has been sacrificed in the face of conflict.