This is my grandfather, Ralph Ransom. As you can see, he was a lineman, as was my father and uncle. My grandfather was electrocuted in 1948 — and survived. He lost both legs and had limited use of his left arm. But, he lived a very full life after the electrocution. He didn’t have prosthetic legs until approximately five years after the accident. But he drove a three-wheeled motorcycle to work everyday and hunted and fished. — RUTH RANSOM BROWN

To commemorate National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 13, readers share their stories of what makes our linemen great.

The lineman I appreciate the most is my grandpa, Maurice (Bud) Hooven who started at Miami County REMC (now Miami-Cass REMC) in 1945. He shared stories with me about how they ran lines by hand across creeks and rivers.

My exposure to the REMC started at birth and taught me so many things. But the thing that stands out is that the REMC is a family and the members are family members. I experienced firsthand these men and women getting up from the supper table with their family, missing a school program to brave the elements so that others could have electricity to have supper with their family, attend their child’s program or have a warm bed to crawl into.

By today’s standards, people would assume this meant grandpa’s family suffered. I would disagree. I learned selflessness from my grandpa and my grandma. I learned to think of others and their comfort. I learned that linemen feel a responsibility to their community.

My grandfather died Dec. 28, 1987. I still run into people who tell me stories of my grandpa coming out to their property to run a line, fix a transformer, or tag a pole. I hear stories about how he went above and beyond to help, how he liked to joke around, how he treated people with respect. I am proud to say I am his granddaughter. — ELIZABETH JEAN HEFLIN, GALVESTON

I love my lineman because they are my son, Greg; my son-in-law, Mark; and my ex-grandson-in-law, Corey … I think we should love and appreciate all of our linemen for keeping our lights burning and our heat on and for having air conditioning in the summer.

They have to get out in the cold, ice, snow, rain and heat, no matter what and it is a dangerous job. We need to keep them in our prayers everyday that they will be safe. — MARY M. DOOLEY, BIRDSEYE

I live in Kosciusko County and I know whenever I lose power, it won’t be long before the guys are out working to get us up and running – most of the time in less than two hours. … You guys are the best. — JUDY A. HAPNER, WARSAW

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for all your work in the worst of weather conditions, leaving your family and warm homes to restore our power in our homes! Words just cannot express our gratitude for each of you! — BETTY AND DON CONNAWAY, CAMDEN