FORT POLK, La. – The permeating sugary scent filling the building shows the pride that Russell Bailey has for his bakery.
Bailey’s membership with the Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce allowed him to support the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division’s Patriot Day by donating a large United States flag cake.
Bailey says his appreciation for troops was the key to his decision.
“For me it was all about the Soldiers. It was an opportunity to give back to Fort Polk. Being a member of the chamber, we work hand-in-hand with the military to try to keep the Fort Polk community growing. The bottom line, though, is we did this to show our appreciation for the Soldiers,” said Bailey.
The bakery made a 9 and a half by 16-foot cake that weighed 852 pounds for the Patriot Day celebration. Bailey obtained the materials for the cake, using his connection to other organizations who appreciate Soldiers.
“We called our main supplier Dawn Foods, out of Houston, told them 4th BCT was redeploying and what we wanted to do for the brigade. They told us to ‘just let them know what we needed,’ the next week Dawn Foods dropped everything off,” said Bailey.
It takes a lot of time and creativity to make a 16-foot cake look good.
“The Patriot Day cake was 54 sheet cakes put together. The sheet cakes were 18 inches by 26 inches long. It took us over three days to make and decorate the cakes. It was a lot of hard work but I loved it,” said Sue Bailey, cake decorator, Bailey’s Bakery.
Soldiers were moved by the cake’s flavor and the sentiment behind the gesture.
“The cake was good; I had two pieces,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jeff Ballew, tactical operations office, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. “I appreciate the staff at Bailey’s taking the time to put the cake together for the Soldiers; they didn’t have to do it, but they chose to. It shows their appreciation for what we do.”