After 39 distinguished years in the United States Army, Lt. Gen. Rhett "Reggie" Hernandez retired in 2013. To celebrate, over a hundred people gathered at the Blue Shamrock Golf Club including family, friends, former classmates and community members held recently in Palmerton to honor the valued Carbon County native.

"It's overwhelming," Hernandez said. "I couldn't have done it without my family, my wife - the love of my life." Emotion filling his voice, wife Patricia interrupted him with a laugh, "don't get emotional now, dear." The couple shared a chuckle while his high school sweetheart turned better half Pat, formerly Haydt, pinned a rose to his lapel before the dinner began."It's so great to see all these people here," daughter Sarah Zolla said. "He's always been just dad."The dinner program included the national anthem sung by Lisa Snell Kern, congratulatory remarks by Henry Desrosiers, director of Carbon County Veterans Affairs, as well as Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia, to name a few.Palmerton born Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey spoke before the man of the hour took the podium."I wanted to wear a regular suit, but Dick (Nothstein) made me wear the uniform," Dailey joked.A resolution honoring Hernandez with gratitude for his years of service was signed by the Board of Carbon County Commissioners and was adopted two days before the party. A long list of awards and decorations for Hernandez's military career was included on the resolution. Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge were a few items mentioned on the official document.Hernandez joined the Army after graduating high school in 1971. His military career started in 1976 where he served as the deputy chief of staff, Army operations chief, and commanding general in human resources command.Before retiring, his last active duty position was first commander of Army Cyber Command, where he was responsible for a number of operations including defense of all Army networks with 1.2 million users.Hernandez and his wife currently live in Alexandria, Virginia.