Have you never learned something about a long term friend that you never knew before? It never seemed to happen when I was younger but it seems to happen all the time now.

And long term friends have said to me, "How did I not know that about you?" which is obviously impossible for me to answer.

For me it's really cool that I can still learn things about friends I've known for 20 or more years.

In this case, perhaps Walter was so traumatized by his war experiences and his reception when he got home and his religion gave him a lot of comfort that he wasn't willing to share that sensitive part of himself for fear his friends or family would mock him. OR maybe he did share it and was mocked. I'm not a vet but I've shared deeply personal and significant experiences in my life and had people mock me or say something that denigrates the experience. Let me tell you, when that happens, you realize you don't share that info with just anyone.

And keep in mind, most of the Vietnam Vets were treated horribly when they returned. They were spit on, ostracized, called Baby Killers and soo much more....it's pretty damned sad. SO to me, it's quite reasonable he would keep that shit to himself.

To me it's a brilliant but subtle piece of character development, just like him taking care of her dog.