It’s time for a powerful observance that really puts it all on the line.

April 18 marks National Lineman Appreciation Day, one of the favorite holidays of any electric utility. It’s not one that gets marked with a brass band or a gift exchange or fireworks ripping across the evening sky. It’s a quiet day for quiet people.

And when the unexpected hits, you see them. High on the poles. Down in the underground vaults. Working rapidly and safely (in one of the most dangerous jobs around) on any day and at any time to get the lights back on and life back to normal.

Blizzards and bomb cyclones? They’ve been there.

Windstorms and wildfires?  They know the story.

It might be lightning in the air, or a car that’s struck the pole, or summer heat that’s pushed a piece of gear to its limits. Or even just the routine maintenance and construction that builds out the grid for the next demand on it.  Whatever the need, about 115,000 members of the electric line crew stand ready across the country to make things happen.

Join them up with engineers and office staff and substation workers and so many more, and you’ve got a heck of a team. For us, it’s one that has gotten Longmont Power& Communications recognized for reliability again and again. More importantly, it means that our community’s homes and businesses have the power they need to thrive.

We’ll take that over a Main Street parade any day of the week. (Though of course, we enjoy doing that, too.)

So when you flip the switch today, take a moment to #ThankALineman. If you see them on the poles or by the streets, give them a wave.

As they say, it’s nice to have friends with connections.