Meet 5-year-old Ryan Dial, who’s now an honorary lineman
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Augusta has one more honorary lineman.
Meet Ryan Dial. This week, the 5-year-old was on a walk with his mom in their neighborhood and ran into some linemen from Texas.
They formed a special bond.
Ryan now has his own hard hat, and they surprised him with his own t-shirt with his name on it and the O’Bar Electric logo.
Those linemen -- especially one in particular -- have become like family.
As a lineman, Devin Rockholt’s job is to bring light.
“Been doing it since I was 19. Took me to a lot of places. I met a lot of good people,” said Rockholt.
He’s the general foreman for an O’Bar Electric crew from Fort Worth, Texas.
“Ryan calls them ‘Light-Ligts.’ Because they turned on our lights, and they were lights,” said Maura Dial, Ryan’s mom.
It was a dark time for everyone whose power they restored, but it was especially difficult for Ryan.
“He’s very sensory-oriented and needs everything to be routine,” said Maura.
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In North Augusta, leaders say their focus is on getting the area back to normal. Officials came together to tour the area on Wednesday and said it’s important to stick together at a time like this.
It’s why Rockholt and his power crew became so powerful.
They restored Ryan’s routine, but they also found a way to disrupt it in the best possible way.
The rest is nothing short of electric.
It’s not just the megawatt smiles; you can actually feel their spark.
“When Ryan was first born, everybody said children with special needs default to love, and that’s just what he is. He’s just pure love,” said Brandon Dial, Ryan’s dad.
Rockholt had a sister with special needs.
He lost her in 2012.
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In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta has stepped in to help feed families and children.
“She was only 4, so around the same age as him. I actually volunteer for the Special Olympics. I do a lot of stuff like that,” said Rockholt.
Rockholt’s also a father to a 3-year-old girl, who he misses desperately, but they’ll likely be heading to Florida next to help with Milton.
“We’ll go home when the work is done, I guess,” said Rockholt.
That means he and his crew will keep on spreading light to other familes who need it, too.
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