Texas Veteran's Dying Wish Is for People to Text or Call Him

A dying Army veteran has a simple final wish and it's something that total strangers can help grant.

Lee Hernandez, 47, has continuous strokes and despite three brain surgeries, the strokes have affected his vision and cognitive abilities and his body is deteriorating. Doctors can't give a specific cause for his illness which has led to the veteran being under hospice care at his home in New Braunfels, Texas.

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His wife, Ernestine, told WFAA that the one way to brighten Hernandez's day is through phone calls and text messages.

Hernandez had given his wife his phone to hold one day "in case someone calls," but when nearly two hours passed without any calls, Hernandez told his wife, "I guess no one wants to talk to me"

"It broke my heart," his wife said. "[His] speech is not very well, so many people don't take much interest or want to talk to him."

To help, she reached out to Caregivers of Wounded Warriors to spread the request for calls and text messages and the Arizona Veterans Forum posted 18 ½ year Army veteran's last wish on Facebook. Since then, Hernandez has received an influx of calls.

"A lot of people call to pray with him. It really uplifts him," Ernestine says. She also reads text messages and cards to Hernandez, who is blind.

Hernandez, who served a tour in Iraq, has been battling health issues for five years, with is situation becoming dire a year ago. As his days grow short, the calls and messages from strangers have improved his quality of life.

Those who want to call or text Hernandez should reach out between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Arizona time as that is when he is most alert. He can be reached at 210-632-6778.

"Thank you, everyone, for your calls and support," Ernestine said. "I am trying to give him the best life I am able to with the help of my mom."

Photo: Twitter / @azfamily