Tonia Myres

Share your military spouse story:
I started out as a stylist and owner of a salon and met my soulmate through a mutual friend. We have worked so very hard traveling to make my salon work for 13 years we had very little time to be active in military events and then we got stationed in Guam. Goodbye salon. It was the best thing for our family. We have two awesome boys 10 and 13 years old who love sports and have become so aware and proud of our military after living on base for almost 4 years. We couldn't be happier. Living on a base we quickly made family that would last a lifetime from numerous branches. We volunteered in the community and did everything we could to help our military family and island community. My husband and I are very unique in that we truly share everything to each other. We share in the wins which makes them stronger and share in the losses which makes them lighter. We have been soulmates since day one and grow stronger together all the time. This tour to Guam and living on a base has been truly a blessing!

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I became Ombudsman for our USCG Team on Guam and have helped lead our families through a Government shutdown by helping setup at food and supply pantry. I helped numerous families that had to be moved out of their houses on base during a Munitions of Explosive Concern on base. My husband and I helped our families through several typhoons. We secured several trampolines. We secured storm shutters on countless houses over almost 4 years. This is just what you do for family and our military community has truly become our family.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
My husband and I have spent countless hours together helping our fellow military community. We have mowed lawns together when they are away from home, taken care of pets, or walked down to talk them through a rough situation. We have been to the Emergency Room together to help a couple get through a tragedy. We have helped a military member get back on track together when times were tough.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
I support our community numerous times a week as Co-Vice President of PTO at our DODEA McCool Elementary and Middle School. I supported and helped my husband as he coached soccer for our island community and DODEA McCool Middle School Soccer. I helped him as he volunteered over 700 hours to our community. I go to countless Joint Region Marianas Assembly meetings, Quality of Life Meetings, PTO Meetings, and private meetings with a spouse or a family in need.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
I advocate for our military families. I do this because they are truly a family and we love them. My husband and I both are brought to tears over how much the Coast Guard and our Military Families mean to us. We see and have so much pride in our country, in each other. We sacrifice more than we even know but it is all worth it. My husband and I both would do anything for our military families.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
As Ombudsman for our Coast Guard Team Guam Family I have the honor of being able to share opportunities with our families. I can share testimony face to face. I can share how to emails or share on social media ways our military families can make there lives better. Through communication we can change the lives of all the military families around us for the better. That is a priceless and I am honored to be able to be a part of making our military families worlds a little better every day.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
My husband and I both believe that you can do most anything if you just try hard. We both give life 110% and are passionate about helping others. What I want to accomplish is to show our military families how one tour on a military base changed our lives forever and we will truly forever be thankful. We never give up and we want other military families to know that they can experience what we have and all you have to do is try.