Mike,
 
I also hear of the older beekeepers talk about bees
remembering and have read about it in the old books.
Digges writes about ..forcing the pace... makes a colony
remain agressive for the remainder of the season.  But I
think that the reason is that if you wear gloves and these
become covered in alarm pheromone, then the bees will act
agressively each time the hive is examined.  If you open the
hive without gloves the bees will  often remain calm - until
a few get squashed!
 
Phil