Paul has come to admire Cacciato, despite Paul's own decision to risk life and limb to fight the war, and despite the fact that Paul came to Vietnam with a very different perspective on heroism. When he was a child, Paul had a very militaristic relationship with his own father that reinforced conventional notions of courage. He had fond childhood memories of playing Little Bear and Big Bear in Indian Guides with his father. But now, Paul sees Cacciato's flight as "a truly awesome notion," rather than the act of a coward as he, as the innocent 'Little Bear' might have before.

Ultimately, Paul sees Cacciato's...

An idea to develop, to tinker with and build and sustain, to draw out as an artist draws out his visions."
Unlike the dreams of the past, Cacciato's movement has an intellectual weight, of a courageous protest, rather than merely mimicking military prowess, as Paul did as a child, and as he feels he still is, in Vietnam. He comes to realize that not only is Cacciato's act of flight and refusal a greater and powerful action than taking up arms, as ordered by the Untied States government, but it is one which has replaced his old memories and fond fantasies of military success.