On my 26th birthday, my dad invited me to become an AHOOT member. He presented me with several riddles, then inducted me with everyone else at the table laughing and having a really good time. Most were veterans, and a few libations were involved. At first I thought they were pulling my leg and having fun with me, until they all pulled out their membership cards, and handed me mine. He taught me the secret handshake. He told me how he became a turtle while stationed at Hardwick Airfield, near Norwich, England, and several others shared how they were inducted Dad was the left waist gunner on the B-24 bomber, the "Gambling Lady". He served in the 8th AAF, 93rd BG, 409th BS, during WWII.