National Lineman Appreciation Day

April 18

To our Sumter Linemen…

Each year on April 18, National Lineman Appreciation Day offers us the chance to recognize linemen for their dedication, sacrifice, and grit. You certainly didn’t take on this job because the work was easy and the hours were short. On the contrary, you do this work in spite of those things, and you do it well.

At Sumter Utilities, linemen are the very core of our business, and you continue to make Sumter a leader in the industry. But to us, you are more than just employees—you are family. We know you have a choice in where you hang your hard hat, and we’re grateful that you have chosen to wear the Sumter logo on yours.

We are all proud to work alongside you, and today I hope you are proud to call yourself a lineman. The work you do has evolved over the years, but nothing has changed about the importance and magnitude of the one of the nation’s toughest, most admired professions! We truly do appreciate you, and we’re grateful to have you here at Sumter Utilities.

-Derek O’Bradovich, Sumter Utilities President

A tribute to linemen.

courtesy of Northwest Lineman College

“They forged the backbone of the modern world, electricity for the masses… and for these loyal few, there’s no greater honor than to bear the name linemen.

    In 2013, Congress recognized National Lineman Appreciation Day.

    Bill Bosch watched his father work as a lineman. His father was a linemen during World War II, and loved the idea of passing on tradition.

    In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he noticed that linemen were putting themselves in harm’s way to serve the communities, yet the public was largely unaware and uneducated about the work of linemen.

    Bill worked with Congress to establish April 18 as a day of honor and recognition, the anniversary of his father’s passing.

    LEARN MORE

    Lineman Love

    Over the years, Sumter has received numerous words of thanks. After storms and outages, as they work in communities across the Southeast, people have shared their gratitude.

    Want to share your own thanks? Send us an email and share some lineman love.

     

    Thank a lineman

    Your crews were at the farm of my parents, where a tree had fallen on the lines and snapped the pole. We have a generator- and that went out! My parents are 93 and 88. During the course of events, my dad suffered a stroke. Your crews were wonderful!

    They offered help, made sure the road was clear, and I’m sure they stayed to work until about 3 AM for my mother’s sake, rather than coming back the next day.

    There are no words to express our gratitude. Please tell them thank you for us. God bless you all!

    -Sandra

    We recently had power conected to our new home. Two men came out and were the most kind and respectful people we have encountered. They were thorough and efficient!

    Please share our deep appreciation for their work well done.

    -Tim

    Thank you for restoring our power in DeLand, Fl. God bless you all, and I hope you are able to return to your families soon. Y’all were our angels.

    -Debbie

    I had the opportunity to see a group of your hard workers in Camden, SC. They came in while I was eating and I could tell by looking at them they had been putting in some long hard hours of work. Some of them may actually be farther away from home than I know. All linemen have been busting their butts so I thought, what if this was my father, son, brother, or nephew?  I APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK AND TIME YOU PUT IN. Thank you to all the linemen for your service. Be safe!

    -Michelle

    Thank you, Sumter Utilities Inc. You guys are Mavericks…working around the clock 😎 U got the Power 👊 Hooah!

    -Rick