About
Dina Vardal is a retired law enforcement officer, Army National Guard veteran, and proud mother whose life reflects resilience, discipline, and compassion. Raised in Joliet, Illinois, she grew up in a household influenced by her Greek and Italian heritage. These traditions instilled in her a deep respect for family and community. Over more than two decades, she served as a SWAT officer, firearms instructor, and helicopter mechanic before turning her focus to teaching and volunteering. Her childhood was rooted in culture and hard work. Her father, from Mykonos, Greece, and her mother, from Ferrara, Italy, made their home in Joliet and raised Dina with strong values. The family operated Mykonos Gyros in the 1980s, a restaurant where locals came together over food and stories.
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