Lt. Gen. Hernandez was left nearly speechless when asked to comment on the dinner in his honor to be held Saturday at the Blue Shamrock Country Club in Palmerton.

"It's really kind of hard to put into word," he said. "It's certainly humbling and a great honor, but at the same time we are really excited about it."Hernandez and his wife, the former Pat Haydt, are members of the Palmerton High School Class of 1971. They were kindergarten classmates and high school sweethearts. After graduation, Hernandez went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy West Point, and a stellar career in the Army. His last active duty assignment before retiring was as the first Commander of Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER). In that position, he was responsible for the daily operations, defense of all Army networks with 1.2 million users, and could conduct a full range of cyberspace operations. He led a cyber force of more than 17,000 people.Hernandez has also received numerous medals in his honor including: Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge."Pat and I have had unbelievable opportunities in the Army," Hernandez said. "But very few, if any, compare to what Palmerton is doing for us on Saturday."The idea of being honored by his friends and former teachers and coaches is priceless to him. Here are people who served as real mentors to him, people he looked up to and admired, people who made a lifetime impact on him, now honoring him, instead of the other way around."It will be a special night for the Hernandez family," he said.In addition to his wife, his son and daughter, Mark and Sarah, will be attending the dinner with their families."Palmerton is really a part of our family," Hernandez said.It's the place he took his children to on vacation each year, the place he developed lasting memories of visits with family and friends and the community festival."It was a very special town to grow up in," he said, and place that still holds his heart.Anyone interested in attending the dinner should call 610-737-1143 or 610-826-7975. The dinner begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25.