I'll never forget my first sponsor in AA talking about "getting together and tell some lies". There are events I remember that I wouldn't bet happened, or aspects of them. There are portions of events which I was so afraid would happen that I remember they did.

For instance, I remember an area being designated a free-fire zone, and being told to take some new ordnance out there to practice with (a grenade launcher, which turned out to be a nifty little item.)

I went out to the area, and there was a fellow plowing with a water buffalo. That's my latest memory. I also remember women (with and without children) planting rice, I remember hooches.

I went back to the CO and told him there were people out there pursuing legitimate activities. He repeated forcefully that was a free-fire zone.

That's all I'll guarantee about that event. It was occupied. My memory, for instance, of how many were out there is pure confabulation.

My first sponsor was a wise man. And eye-witness testimony is not good, sometimes, even though I might pass a lie detector exam about some of it.