Disaster strikes somewhere in the U.S. every day, whether it’s a fire that destroys one family’s home or a hurricane that wreaks havoc along the entire East Coast. Since its beginnings, the employees of the telecommunications industry have responded to disaster with heroism, providing emergency communications systems and restoring service to citizens.

Some of them have been awarded medals (see Vail Medals and our Heroes section for more) celebrating their bravery. More, however, quietly went about their job, doing whatever needed to be done to help their customers and their communities in time of trouble. These exhibits are dedicated to those thousands of men and women.