|
Masonic Turtle Pin
Are You a
Turtle?
Many members of America's great
fraternal organizations, such as the Shriners, Masons, Elks, and American
Legionnaires, are familiar with that age-old query, "Are you a
Turtle?" Sometimes, one sees a green-shelled turtle lapel pin or tie tac,
or even an auto decal with a grinning turtle asking the same question. But
what or who are the Turtles, you ask?
Quite simply, the Turtles are a drinking fraternity that exists in the United
States of America as a fun-and-honor group usually within the local lodge or
post, sort of a side degree. It traces its honorable origins back to the Second
World War, when a group of fighter pilots formed a semisecret drinking
fraternity among its squadron's members, and put prospective candidates for
membership through a mock initiation.
Having no dues nor initiation fee, the Turtles simply ask new members to go out
and recruit new members.
The initiation normally takes place in a bar or social quarters of the lodge or
post after the organization's business meeting has been conducted. The Turtles
approach the prospective candidate and solemnly ask him (or her) if they wish to
join the "Ancient Order of Turtles," "International Turtles
Association," "Turtle Club," "Ancient and Honorable Order of
Turtles," or any other title that the local branch is affiliated with.
There are at least twelve different branches of Turtles in America, but all
adhere to the same sign, passwords, grip and initiation format.
If the candidate agrees to join the Turtles, they are taken to a side room or
private area where the initiation can be conducted in relative privacy. A
circle is formed around the candidate by the Turtles present, and no outsiders
are permitted to observe the initiation. The candidate is advised
that they are about to join an honorable drinking fraternity composed of ladies
and gentlemen of the highest morals and good character, ladies and gentlemen who
are never vulgar. It is assumed by the Turtles that the candidate also owns a
donkey of a sweet and kindly disposition (the explanation of this cryptic
inquiry is given to the candidate after they're initiated).
This being explained to the candidate, they are then asked by the presiding
officer, often referred to as a "Grand Turtle," "Imperial
Turtle," Grand Snapper," or "His Shellness," if he is
willing to submit to the initiation of the fraternity, and answer "The Four
Sublime Questions." If the candidate agrees to answer the questions, he is
then informed that there are penalties and rewards, both of which are in the eye
of the beholder. Four (4) drinks of the candidate's choice are then purchased.
Every Turtle present has a drink of their choice in their hand.
The presiding officer advises the candidate, "If you fail to answer the
question correctly, or with vulgarity, you must drink one of the four drinks we
have placed before you. If you answer the question correctly, with dignity, all
of us present must take a drink. Either way, it's a win-win proposition."
If the candidate answers one of The Four Sublime Questions incorrectly, all hoot
and demand him to "Drink, candidate!" After he has drank his beverage,
he is advised of the correct answer, which is never vulgar. And the questioning
continues.
After the completion of The Interrogation, and all of The Four Sublime Questions
are presented and answered by the candidate, the presiding officer asks all the
Turtles present to vote on whether the candidate should be admitted into their
ranks as a Brother or Sister Turtle. The Turtles step aside from the candidate
and hold a conclave. There is much grumbling and whispering in the circle, and
finally, they agree to admit the candidate.
The circle is re-formed around the candidate, and they are advised by the
presiding officer:
"Candidate, you have been found worthy and well-qualified for membership in
our Order. By the authority invested in me by the Ancient and Honorable Order of
Turtles, I shall now invest you with the sign, grip, and passwords of the Order,
which you shall divulge to no one except duly initiated Turtles. As a
Brother (or Sister) Turtle, know ye that all Turtles are your brethren.
When asked the password by a Brother or Sister Turtle, and you fail to give the
proper response in its entirety, you shall forfeit to that Turtle a beverage of
their choice. If you ask a Brother or Sister Turtle the password, and they
fail to give you the password in its entirety, they shall forfeit to you a
beverage of your choice. As a new Brother (or Sister) Turtle, I welcome you into
the Order, and by this sign, grip, and password, identify yourself to each
Brother and Sister in this circle."
The new Brother or Sister Turtle then goes around the circle of new friends, and
gives the sign, handclasp and password to each.
The next candidate is then called upon to join, and the procedure is commenced
once again.
The Harry Klitzner Company in Rhode Island offers a selection of Turtle lapel
pins, tie tacs, earrings, and auto decals, as well as membership cards, and even
has a Shriner Turtle pin!
If anyone is a Brother or Sister Turtle, and wishes to learn the grip and sign
(if their branch has lost it or forgotten to utilize it), they may e-mail me
directly at:
DTMCGOWAN@AOL.COM
and I will be delighted to provide them (as long as you provide the Order's
password in full when you first e-mail me) to you.
God bless America, and God bless the Order of Turtles!
Fraternally yours,
Brother Denis P. McGowan
Past Imperial Turtle
150-Member Club (initiated over 150 Turtles)
Staten Island Chapter No. 651
Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles
|
