Have you ever attended a public or private function in someone's stead?

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

An odd question, I know.

Of course, I have a lot of questions as to why someone would want another person to go in their stead. And the reasons why the person asked would say yes or no.

My boss and best friend, chose me to go in his stead to a Vietnam Vets' 21 Gun Salute funeral today. Catch-22 situation for him. He and his wife were at her Grandfather's funeral in Texas. A WWII Veteran, also the recipient of same type funeral. Ironically, both were recipients of the Navy Cross. Both war heroes.

I did not want to go to such a function among people I did not know. Being both a Veteran myself and my best friend asking me to go in his place, I felt duty bound and honored to do so. I am glad I did.

 

[Farrah]

An odd question, I know.

Of course, I have a lot of questions as to why someone would want another person to go in their stead. And the reasons why the person asked would say yes or no.

My boss and best friend, chose me to go in his stead to a Vietnam Vets' 21 Gun Salute funeral today. Catch-22 situation for him. He and his wife were at her Grandfather's funeral in Texas. A WWII Veteran, also the recipient of same type funeral. Ironically, both were recipients of the Navy Cross. Both war heroes.

I did not want to go to such a function among people I did not know. Being both a Veteran myself and my best friend asking me to go in his place, I felt duty bound and honored to do so. I am glad I did.

Sounds like an awesome experience. Good for you. And thanks for your service.

 

[Destinys_Bitch]

An odd question, I know.

Of course, I have a lot of questions as to why someone would want another person to go in their stead. And the reasons why the person asked would say yes or no.

My boss and best friend, chose me to go in his stead to a Vietnam Vets' 21 Gun Salute funeral today. Catch-22 situation for him. He and his wife were at her Grandfather's funeral in Texas. A WWII Veteran, also the recipient of same type funeral. Ironically, both were recipients of the Navy Cross. Both war heroes.

I did not want to go to such a function among people I did not know. Being both a Veteran myself and my best friend asking me to go in his place, I felt duty bound and honored to do so. I am glad I did.

Are there stipulations? Did you have to wear a sign?

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

I am hoping there are others here who have gone to an event of any type in someone else's place. No matter how silly it seems.

Did you learn something important about yourself or the person that put you in that position? Did you enjoy it? Did you think it was stupid? Did you feel indifferent? Were you nervous?

Most importantly, how did you behave?

 

[piccicatopolka]

I'm glad you went too though I'm not clear on why your friend needed to be replaced. Their commitment was important and they were simply unable to attend the other.

Through a good part of last year I went to city business owner meetings but was 'just' the Manager, not the actual owner of the business. The owner was going through some surgery and is still dealing with his issues. So much so that he sold the business and I work elsewhere now. I learned a lot and had plenty to share. Plus I'm still welcome as a guest anytime.

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

The funeral I attended today was for an important person I never met. A good person who had a positive, influential impact on his many friends and relatives.

He was a cousin of my best friend (also a Veteran). And from a large family with a very long line of Veterans who have served their country, in every military branch in every war the US fought. Generation after generation. None of them ever becoming an officer. It was in a small town funeral home filled to the max in almost every room: An old funeral home capable of handling several funerals at once. I have never attended a funeral with so many people. This man, who succumbed to diabetes and kidney failures, was known to the people in his life for far more than his contributions to his country.

I felt so out of place prior to signing the registry, but that changed quickly over the course of 3 hours today. It seemed like everyone there already knew me. I had to deliver 3 specific messages to 3 specific people I never met. The funeral director, the deceased's widow, and the deceased's oldest child. All of them expecting me. I had to sit where my friend would have sat on the family's side........way in the back.

I had to opportunity read the letter on this man's Navy Cross award from Vietnam. A Marine. Also to view the man's medals:Navy Cross, 2 Purple Hearts, Expert Marksmanship. A Corporal. He was awarded the Navy Cross for providing cover fire for one corpsman, so the corpsman could get to wounded soldiers. As he was providing cover, the enemy shot him in the back from a nearby hidden bunker. But he managed to crawl close enough to the bunker to launch several grenades, then shot several more with a pistol once his rifle ran out of ammo. I guess reinforcements must have arrived by then to save his life.

At the burial site, the County Veterans Association, 4 Veterans there to represent them, did the 21 Gun Salute. The first shots into the air shook me like a bolt of lightning, even though I was expecting it. I did the expected salute of Veterans, did the traditional exchange for immediate family, then left while chatting with strangers who knew my boss and best friend from his younger days. All of whom remember him as being a feisty, trouble making, young boy who always 'stepped up to the plate' before anyone else when least expected. They all wanted to know where he had been for so many years after leaving to join the Navy. I could only tell them what I knew of him after meeting him in Texas a few years ago.

Fuck yeah, it was weird. But I like this place I moved to a year ago. And I am going to join the County Vets Association.

 

[Johnny_Ray_Wilson]

I'm glad you went too though I'm not clear on why your friend needed to be replaced. Their commitment was important and they were simply unable to attend the other.

Through a good part of last year I went to city business owner meetings but was 'just' the Manager, not the actual owner of the business. The owner was going through some surgery and is still dealing with his issues. So much so that he sold the business and I work elsewhere now. I learned a lot and had plenty to share. Plus I'm still welcome as a guest anytime.

My friend had to attend his wife's Grandfather's funeral with her in Texas on the same day. He had to consider her wishes as his wife and the fact it was a more immediate family member to her than his cousin was to him. He was very close to his own Grandfather as well. The latter I learned both from him and some I met today. His best friend, me, was a clear sign of its' importance to him and family. It was not an easy decision for him. He could not be at 2 funerals of equal importance at the same time, one in Texas and the other in Georgia.

Sounds like you did well, people wise, as a result. I take it you are still friends with your former employer?

 

[Angellica1612]

the 21 Gun Salute. The first shots into the air shook me like a bolt of lightning, even though I was expecting it.

I'll never forget that moment at my father's service. So many emotions - pride for his service, grateful that he was being recognized, the incredible loss brought home sharply with each volley.

I commend you for your service and for what you did that day, especially in the face of not wanting to go in the first place. Sometimes our most profound experiences in life occur in a situation we would have chosen to avoid if we could.

 

[4est_4est_Gump]

No, I have never taken another's SAT test...

 

[KRCummings]

Once but I'll never do that again. She swore it was only 3 guys, a director and a camera guy. She never said a word about the goat, the midget or the audience. Once bitten, twice shy.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I was in a group of real estate investors. We bought and flipped rental properties, individually and in groups. One of my friends owned a property and had a dilemma: he wanted to see his son get an award at school but had an eviction hearing scheduled at the same time for one of his deadbeat tenants.

He said "Rob, you know the drill, you show up, they call the docket, the renter never shows, you get a default judgment, and you're done. Would you please just answer for me when they call the docket and pick up the default judgment? I really want to see my son get this award!"

I agreed to do this, since I wasn't gonna be under oath.

I show up in court, At 9 a.m. the bailiff calls the docket. "Joe Smith vs. Latasha Jones, Joe Smith?" I answered "here". "Latasha Jones?" silence. The judge says "Default judgment for Joe Smith. So ordered". I go up to the court reporter to get the all important court stamp on the eviction order.

Just then, the courtroom door blasts open, and this enormous woman comes thundering up the aisle..."Your HONOR! Melika Johnson, representing Latasha Jones in Smith vs. Jones for the DEFENSE!" I felt my balls shrink up into my body. I was fucked.

The judge casts a withering stare at attorney Jones, and says icily, "Counselor, the docket has been called. There was no response". Johnson starts to splutter. The judge cuts her off "Think of this courtroom like an airport, counselor. Your flight has left the terminal. Next case!"

I got the paperwork and walked out of the courtroom, staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone...

 

[JohnnySavage]

I frequently show up at bar mitzvahs, weddings, awards ceremonies and other events with free food, pretending to be someone else. It's only awkward when my name is called to come to the diaz to receive an award.

 

[RobDownSouth]

I frequently show up at bar mitzvahs, weddings, awards ceremonies and other events with free food, pretending to be someone else. It's only awkward when my name is called to come to the diaz to receive an award.

Madre de diaz! (sic) I think you mean 'dais'.

 

[JohnnySavage]

Madre de diaz! (sic) I think you mean 'dais'.

Chrome says dias is wrong, but daiz is right. File your complaint with the Google!

 

[RobDownSouth]

Chrome says dias is wrong, but daiz is right. File your complaint with the Google!

I'll get around to doing just that one of these dias.

 

[Disgustipated]

Once but I'll never do that again. She swore it was only 3 guys, a director and a camera guy. She never said a word about the goat, the midget or the audience. Once bitten, twice shy.

You fucked LT? I bet you cybered with Ken too.

 

[RobDownSouth]

You fucked LT? I bet you cybered with Ken too.

midget = DevilishTexan,aka Mr. I-get-more-pussy-even-though-I-am-5-foot-3-than-you-ever-will

 

[oggbashan]

I had stood in for my father at several events when he was unwell. Once I gave a talk he was due to give.

I have attended funerals representing other relations who couldn't attend.

The most awkward one: Signing a cremation certificate and attending a funeral as "next of kin" when the deceased was in Devon and the next of kin was in Hong Kong and wanted the ashes shipped home. I signed it "pp" an illegible name (which I couldn't even spell) and added my signature below "on behalf of the Admiralty".

The coroner, the funeral directors and the Shinto priest didn't object although I was obviously not the "next of kin".

 

[Very_Bad_Man]

Once but I'll never do that again. She swore it was only 3 guys, a director and a camera guy. She never said a word about the goat, the midget or the audience. Once bitten, twice shy.

that movie was a stellar performance btw the way. you would of won best oral of the year easy if it was not a goat

 

[piccicatopolka]

My friend had to attend his wife's Grandfather's funeral with her in Texas on the same day. He had to consider her wishes as his wife and the fact it was a more immediate family member to her than his cousin was to him. He was very close to his own Grandfather as well. The latter I learned both from him and some I met today. His best friend, me, was a clear sign of its' importance to him and family. It was not an easy decision for him. He could not be at 2 funerals of equal importance at the same time, one in Texas and the other in Georgia.

Sounds like you did well, people wise, as a result. I take it you are still friends with your former employer?

Good morning ~ and yeah we get along great. He and I are preparing a local museum exhibition that has nothing to do with the business that we worked at before.

 

[Angellica1612]

I was in a group of real estate investors. We bought and flipped rental properties, individually and in groups. One of my friends owned a property and had a dilemma: he wanted to see his son get an award at school but had an eviction hearing scheduled at the same time for one of his deadbeat tenants.

He said "Rob, you know the drill, you show up, they call the docket, the renter never shows, you get a default judgment, and you're done. Would you please just answer for me when they call the docket and pick up the default judgment? I really want to see my son get this award!"

I agreed to do this, since I wasn't gonna be under oath.

I show up in court, At 9 a.m. the bailiff calls the docket. "Joe Smith vs. Latasha Jones, Joe Smith?" I answered "here". "Latasha Jones?" silence. The judge says "Default judgment for Joe Smith. So ordered". I go up to the court reporter to get the all important court stamp on the eviction order.

Just then, the courtroom door blasts open, and this enormous woman comes thundering up the aisle..."Your HONOR! Melika Johnson, representing Latasha Jones in Smith vs. Jones for the DEFENSE!" I felt my balls shrink up into my body. I was fucked.

The judge casts a withering stare at attorney Jones, and says icily, "Counselor, the docket has been called. There was no response". Johnson starts to splutter. The judge cuts her off "Think of this courtroom like an airport, counselor. Your flight has left the terminal. Next case!"

I got the paperwork and walked out of the courtroom, staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone...

That's a great story, Rob. Talk about saved by the bell!