2009 Hometown Spirit Award Nominee:
Brad Bailey

Nominated by two sets of individuals on two separate nomination forms:

Kent McIver and Britt Paynter and Brent Barringer and Renee Ferrell Spell

McIver states:

"I believe Brad Bailey is a good candidate for the Cary Hometown Spirit Award in part because of his respect, dedication, and concern for our communities as a while to whom he extends himself personally and professionally one person at a time.

Brad took the reins of leadership as General Manager at Cary's new cemetery, Wake Memorial Park, in December of 2007 and devoted himself to building a professional reputation of honesty and integrity. He has done this by making the needs of Cary's families first and the business aspect of the cemetery second. I have watched as he left financial advantages to himself and the business on the table in order to serve the best interest of an individual or family.

One example of his interest in making a difference would be the Veterans' Garden of Honor program which he was instrumental in initiating. In addition to a 9 foot granite and bronze tribute to the Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, he worked with the cemetery's owners to dedicate a burial garden just for Veterans and their families, and to offer 100 complimentary burial spaces worth more than $190,000 to our local Vets.

Through both his occupation and volunteer work, he has sponsored and organized local events that promote pride and patriotism, including a Boy Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony that is scheduled to be an annual event.

As a member of The Cary Rotary Club, he heads up the Military Share Project, organizing the contributions from local citizens to provide needed items to deployed and returning military men and women.

Before his daughter graduated from Cary High School in 2005, he volunteered to help coach the Cary High Track Team and provided support by volunteering to help with athletic events.

Brad's active involvement in the community is reaching beyond the boundaries of Cary itself, but is impacting our community here in Apex as well, and his balance of work, family, and volunteer interests exude the American hometown spirit."

Paynter states:

"I would like to nominate Brad Bailey for the Cary Hometown Spirit Award.

Brad's work at Wake Memorial Park to provide a program to promote special recognition to Veterans has not only afforded many an opportunity to benefit in a needful category, but has also incorporated local businesses by involving them directly and indirectly to carry out the program.

For instance, local funeral homes have benefited by Veterans exploring and purchasing pre-planned funeral services after securing their complimentary burial space from Wake Memorial Park. Local granite companies gained employment when hired to install a 10 foot granite and bronze tribute to our country's vets, and several outside vendors are consistently employed for various functions at the cemetery.

Because Brad's work and effort encompasses several of the requirements, such as promoting American patriotism, entrepreneurship, and dedication to military causes, and because he does this in a personal and hospitable manner, please consider him for the Cary Hometown Spirit Award."

Barringer states:

"By coming on board at Wake Memorial Park in 2007 as the General Manager, Brad Bailey took up the challenge to lead a vitally important service business in our community. Since then he has more than overcome that challenge by ensuring that the residents of Cary and southwestern Wake County are compassionately and responsibly attended to when exploring their post mortem needs. In the spirit of the small hometown environment we want to promote in Cary, he has reached out to young and old alike, developing a reputation as someone who esteems others highly and values their trust and confidence.

In 2008, looking for a way to provide an even greater benefit to the community while also growing the business in this difficult economy, he spearheaded an effort with the owners of Wake Memorial Park to offer free grave spaces to 100 military veterans and provide a dignified and affordable way for them to be properly recognized for their service to our Country. The Garden of Honor and the Veteran's Tribute at Wake Memorial Park are the tangible expression of his efforts to show our gratitude to all Veterans.

While Brad's passion to help others has been most prominently displayed through his work in the delicate but needful industry of death-care, he has also made other tangible contributions in our community. First, his longtime personal participation with the Boy Scouts of American includes a Boy Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony. Also, as a member of The Cary Rotary Club, he leads the Military Share Project, organizing the contributions from local citizens to provide needed items to deployed and returning service men and women.

I respectfully submit that Brad Bailey is a great candidate for the Cary Hometown Spirit Award because of his respect and concern for Cary as a whole and his personal dedication to the many individuals who make up our community."

Spell states:

"I have the good fortune to be a fellow Rotarian with Brad Bailey and work along side him with various projects within our club. Brad is a small town guy from Manchester, Michigan who was involved from childhood in hometown events, Boy Scouts and the Optimist Steer Club. He served his nation proudly in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz for 3 years, and after earning his degree in theology was ordained into the ministry in 1999. Married with two children, his allegiance to service within their activities abounds.

Brad's presence in Cary is highlighted in his management of Wake Memorial Park since 2007. His mission there stemming from his own military service was to establish a 'family first' approach to all. The Veteran's Garden of Honor is indicative of his desire to offer respect, dignity and honor to all who have served. Under Brad's leadership the Park has reserved 100 complimentary spaces specifically for local veterans, free of charge. His volunteerism continues with the establishment of the Boy Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony.

I personally have been blessed by the integrity, dignity and grace Brad offered by family recently in the passing of my father, a World War II veteran. Working with Apex Funeral Directors, Brad was instrumental in the care of my father's remains from our home. The simple things that some may have found insignificant Brad recognized and allowed us the memories we hold dear. It was family first -- that was apparent.

Brad is a man of honor and has a servant's soul who is involved within his community, his church, his family and their activities, and most importantly the people of Cary will only see more of what this gentleman will bring to our Town. His contributions have made Cary even better and promise to continue."