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Records of Bush's Ala. Military Duty Can't Be Found (washingtonpost.com)

That's fron 2000.

It includes Bush saying this:

Campaigning Friday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Bush was asked about his 1972 service in that state.

"I was there on a temporary assignment and fulfilled my weekends at one period of time," he said. "I made up some missed weekends."

"I can't remember what I did, but I wasn't flying because they didn't have the same airplanes. I fulfilled my obligations."

Later I think they came up with the story that he was shuffling papers. But the first reaction was -- he just didn't know. Forgetfulness is a handy thing when waiting to come up with a real story.