About | Veterans Council of Duval County Florida

About Our Veterans Council

"Strength in Unity"

Who We Are:

The Veterans Council of Duval County (VCDC) was established to bring together the veteran organizations of Duval voice for veterans, their families, and surviving spouses.
We serve as a collective voice for the veteran community, helping veteran organizations communicate, share important information, and stay informed about legislation and public policy at the local, state, and national levels.
The VCDC is a Florida not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation, registered in the State of Florida effective May 17, 2023.
EIN: 82-4378683

Our Mission:

With more than 78,000 veterans living in Duval County, Jacksonville and our surrounding communities are home to one of the largest veteran populations in the nation.
That number represents more than statistics; it represents our neighbors, families, friends, and fellow Americans who have served our country.
Our mission is simple: To unite Duval County’s veteran organizations, strengthen our collective voice, and advocate for the benefits, rights, and well-being of those who have served, and those who are serving today.
We believe that when veteran organizations work together, we are stronger, better informed, and more effective advocates for our community.
The VCDC is committed to ensuring that veterans of every generation, including active-duty service members who will become tomorrow’s veterans, have a voice when decisions are made that affect their benefits, their families, and their future.

United in Service. Committed to Serving Our Veterans.

Who We Are:

Our Council Officers

Our Veterans Council Officers are voted into two (2) year terms by the Council Members. Here are our 2024-2026 VCDC Officers:

Dani Hernandez

Chairman

Danette “Dani” Hernandez served in the U.S Navy 1987-1994. She served as a Hospital Corpsman, specializing in Aerospace Medicine.

Dani joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in 2002. She earned her VFW eligibility from Desert Shield/Desert Storm. From 2009-2010, Dani served as the VFW Post 7909 Commander. She was the first female Commander of the Post. Moving up the chain in the VFW, Dani served as the District 6 Commander from 2015-2016 and attained All-State and All-American status. From 2021-2022, she served as the VFW State Commander for Florida. She has served as chairperson on various committees (Post, District and State levels) throughout her years with the VFW.

The Military Order of the Cootie (MOC) is the honor degree of the VFW whose primary mission is to help hospitalized Veterans. Dani has served as the Pup Tent 23 Seam Squirrel (multiple years); District 6 Commander (2009-2010); Grand of Florida Commander (2012-2013); Supreme District 5 Council Member (covering FL, GA, NC, SC from 2015-2017); Supreme (National) Surgeon (2018-2024) and as a Deputy VAVS for VAMC Lake City (2023-present).

Dani engages in the Veterans Community in the Jacksonville area. She serves as a mentor for Veterans Treatment Court (2020-present); volunteer at the Jacksonville International Airport Military Lounge (2023-present); treasurer for the Support Committee at the Jacksonville National Cemetery; Onward Ops sponsor; Team Rubicon; Soldiers Angels; VA Military and Family Advisory Committee; Disabled American Veterans Service Officer (2024-present); Trident Ministry Team member Naval Station Mayport; The Mission Continues; Travis Manion Foundation and a volunteer with the VA Compassionate Contact Corp. She is also a Board member with Students Against Child Trafficking and serves on the Urban League CVEC Advisory Committee.

Dani holds a BS in Health Care Management (Cum Laude) from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix.