This will be unpopular. I too appreciate them. However they do get paid extremely well. It is their choosen job. An important one but I doubt many of them are altruistic, they're making bank, at least the linemen I knew. I think we just tend to feel extremely grateful when the power(that we pay through the nose for) is turned back on (so the energy industry can bank record profits) and we translate the joy of heat and electric to the "saintly" guys on the pole. Might as well revere the dps plow guy or the kid who goes to work in the grocery store in a snow storm. It's not about service or kindness, it's about the money.

Now, a decent soldier, they have more of a possibility of being altruistic and don't get paid great. I tend to be more grateful for occupations like teachers, nurses, good public servants, etc. I would like to live in a world where these type occupations are highly rewarded as opposed to Hollywood types and pro athletes.

Sources: retired US Army Senior NCO : grumpy old NH guy.

Have a nice day.