On Saturday, Palmerton will honor one of its own, retired Lt. Gen. Rhett Hernandez, just in time for Veterans Day. Friends, family and members of the community will gather at the Blue Shamrock Country Club in Palmerton for a retirement dinner.

"Rhett is extremely proud of his hometown," said Palmerton Borough Council member Richard Nothstein. "All those that have worked with him know he comes from Palmerton."Nothstein has known Hernandez for a long time. He was the lieutenant general's economics teacher and assistant football coach."He was on my freshman and JV teams and was a delight to work with," Nothstein said. He "was the 'quiet' leader of his peers. He didn't shout and make a lot of noise, but his attitude, talent and dedication drew the respect of others, and they followed. This certainly was a characteristic that carried him to eventually wear three stars on his shoulders."Hernandez grew up in Palmerton, graduated from its high school in 1971, and went on to graduate from United States Military Academy, West Point, in 1976. He married his girlfriend from high school, Pat, who also graduated from Palmerton High School in 1971, and was commissioned a field artillery officer. In time, he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in systems engineering from the University of Virginia and a Masters of National Security Strategy from the National War College, where he was named a distinguished graduate.His professional career is equally impressive. He has received many awards including:• Distinguished Service Medal (3rd Award);• Defense Superior Service Medal (2nd Award);• Legion of Merit (2nd Award);• Bronze Star;• Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award);• Army Commendation Medal (5th Award);• Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award);• Combat Action Badge;• Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge;• Army Staff Identification Badge.Before his retirement, Hernandez's last active duty assignment was as commander of Army Cyber Command. He was the first person to hold this position. As commander, 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. In addition to building a cyber force of more than 17,000 people, he led the development of a variety of concepts, plans and programs to minimize cyber risk and ensure military operations, and was responsible for cyber doctrine, training, leader development, organization, materiel and people.Hernandez said his career also included positions as:• Deputy chief of staff for Army Operations where he oversaw worldwide Army operations, directed transformation efforts, co-chaired the programming and budget board, chaired the network modernization board, and approved and prioritized requirements.• Chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, Saudi Arabia and served as the senior defense official to the U.S. ambassador. He led the largest security assistance program in the world, oversaw the Foreign Military Sales program, and strengthened the strategic military partnership and increased readiness and interoperability.• Commanding general, Human Resources Command, he directed the personnel management, from accession to retirement, for all soldiers and officers. He transformed personnel services and the management systems to support an army at war.• Currently, he serves as the West Point Distinguished Cyber Chair to the Army Cyber Institute, director of CyberSponse, director of On Point, president of CyberLens LLC and is on a wide range of advisory boards. He also works in consulting, speaking and supporting startups to large organizations on cyber topics."We in Palmerton, and beyond, know what Rhett and his family have sacrificed for our country," Nothstein said. He considers his former student's accomplishments to be greater than any star athlete or celebrity."What Rhett has done makes him better and more valuable than all of them put together."Nothstein said that six years ago he and a friend had planned an event at Northern Arizona University to show appreciation of veterans in Flagstaff, Arizona. Sen. John McCain was to going to be the main speaker, but had to cancel because of responsibilities in Washington, D.C."I asked Rhett to consider taking the senator's place. Without hesitation he said 'yes,' " Nothstein said.Hernandez took vacation time, paid for all of his expenses and addressed hundreds of veterans in college, including a Medal of Honor recipient."He made it a point to thank every veteran in attendance," he said. Hernandez "shook their hands and helped present each of them with a special NAU (Northern Arizona University) Veteran Medallion."Anyone interested in attending the dinner should contact Nothstein at 610-737-1143 or Christopher Olivia at 610-826-7975. The dinner begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25.