Are You a Turtle?

[mellowinman]

Have you ever been bit by a bumblebee?

 

[Russell L]

A big thanks to Dirk Diggler for posting his dad's card on here. I see it was dated in the 60s, just around the time I got asked.

 

[Russell L]

There are several stories, but the one with the most documentation to support its basis is that The Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles began as an informal drinking club between WWII pilots while stationed in England.

Yes, that's the story on Wikipedia. A fellow named McGowan, I believe it was, who got the idea. I assume the pilots must've been international.

My buds in Australia were familiar with the club, but not many. They were more familiar with an Aussie club known as the Old Bastards Culb, which has nothing to do with age. It's a friendship club. They say some of the younger members these days call it the Old Mates Club. It has to do with how long you've known someone, something like that. Many of them joined while in the service.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

LOL well thanks for the additional info on it's origins. Funny too is my father seems to remember one of the space missions Johnson Space Center talking to one of the astronauts, and he asked him if he was a Turtle, he of course said nothing. He couldn't remember who the astronaut was though.
So the pilot thing again would make total sense. And it is after all an international organization too.

You have to love the Talkbass for making information so readily available, the low end is always full of useful information.

Thanks to you for bringing it up!

Cheers!
Dirk

p.s. I found on Wikipedia that it was indeed astronaut Wally Schirra.
And if you are really in need of knowing all the lore it is apparently well documented on Wikipedia, here's the link:
Ancient Order of Turtles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Russell L]

LOL well thanks for the additional info on it's origins. Funny too is my father seems to remember one of the space missions Johnson Space Center talking to one of the astronauts, and he asked him if he was a Turtle, he of course said nothing. He couldn't remember who the astronaut was though.
So the pilot thing again would make total sense. And it is after all an international organization too.

You have to love the Talkbass for making information so readily available, the low end is always full of useful information.

Thanks to you for bringing it up!

Cheers!
Dirk

p.s. I found on Wikipedia that it was indeed astronaut Wally Schirra.
And if you are really in need of knowing all the lore it is apparently well documented on Wikipedia, here's the link:
Ancient Order of Turtles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

ROTFLMAO! I just love that!

 

[MatticusMania]

There are several stories, but the one with the most documentation to support its basis is that The Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles began as an informal drinking club between WWII pilots while stationed in England.

If that is when it really started then I dont think its quite that Ancient of an order.