Mineola Bank pushes “Back the Blue” message
Published 10:27 am Tuesday, October 6, 2015
MINEOLA – Loan administration officer Linda Lee is one of those people who takes care of other people’s business and minds her own.
Her job at Mineola Community Bank is somewhat predictable, focused largely on scads of paperwork packed with numbers and small details.
But something uncommon happened recently on the way to work that prompted her to abandon the comfort zone.
A radio announcer recited a prayer for law enforcement and it struck a nerve.
“I have a son-in-law who is a DPS officer, and we’re always worrying about him,” she said. “I thought, ‘We need to be doing more to support them.'”
Ms. Lee sought buy-in from bank president Jim Herlocker III to launch a public campaign supporting the cops.
The institution soon rolled out free “Back the Blue” T-shirts and yard signs to whoever wanted them.
Folks in badges got a chance last week to enjoy a complimentary lunch during special Community Bank events in Mineola, Winnsboro and Grand Saline.
Bank officials didn’t take it easy on the menu, either.
No, they rolled out hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixin’s for their law enforcement friends.
“It turned out a little bigger than we thought it would,” Ms. Lee said with a grin. “We gave out 500 T-shirts in the first three hours alone.”
In Mineola, photographer and videographer Jeff Cox sent up a drone outfitted with a camera to preserve the occasion for posterity, then posted it to YouTube.
It’s pretty interesting. Check it out yourself.
Cox, who comes from a law enforcement family, said he shot the video to help spread the Back the Blue message.
“It does my heart great to see all of this,” Cox said. “I try to keep things positive. If I can shine my flashlight on them … I will.”
Several days into the publicity campaign, Mineola and outlying areas seem to be awash in blue, even though their beloved Yellow Jackets are not.
Drive down most any street and there is a sign pointing out the obvious: The city is pro-police, deputy and trooper.
“The yard signs are a way to show any officer who drives through our communities that they are appreciated,” Ms. Lee said.
Mineola Police Chief Charles Bittner, a 25-year law enforcement veteran, said he’s grateful for the community support.
“It’s uplifting for everybody,” he said, describing happy reactions of officers. “It’s wonderful, especially in the trying times we’re seeing in law enforcement.”
Bittner said it’s common around the holidays to receive homemade goodies and expressions of good wishes.
The gestures are certainly appreciated, but it’s a different matter entirely to drive down the street and see actual signs of support, he added.
Apparently Mineola Community Bank isn’t the only entity in that city backing its blue. Other entities seem to be getting in on the action as well.
As an example, the Mineola Masonic Lodge No. 502 has a giant sign posted in front of its building that reads: “Law Enforcement. Thanks. We Appreciate You.”
Local police report the department is also receiving thank you cards from elementary school children.
In a complicated world, Bittner said it’s amazing to feel so supported.
“If you appreciate an officer, tell them,” he said. “A thank you means a lot.”
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