FORT SILL, Okla. July 2, 2015 -- Polo Field was flooded, June 27, with concert-goers coming out to enjoy a free concert here provided by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR).
The Tour for the Troops concert headlined Enrique Iglesias, a Grammy-award winning Latin singer, who is currently on his Sex and Love tour promoting his latest album with the same name.
"It's all part of our line of efforts which is to always be looking at ways that we can promote the well being of our military members and their families," said Brenda Spencer-Ragland, FMWR director. "This was a quality of life event and an opportunity for us to provide quality entertainment for free."
The event was made possible in part to the partnership with the Air Force Reserve. Traditionally. the performer has been a country music artist, however,
Spencer-Ragland said a request was made to have a different genre of music. By partnering with the Air Force Reserve the cost of the entertainer was absorbed allowing FMWR to focus on the production costs and resulting in free entertainment for the community.
"We could not do it without the sponsors and the volunteers, to include the units here on the installation," she said. "It was truly a team effort."
With temperatures in the upper 80s, crowds arrived early with lawn chairs and fans. Around the outskirts of the field vendors sold cold drinks, hot dogs and funnel cakes piled high with powdered sugar while children danced among the concert goers.
"I got here at 4 o'clock to get good seats," said Karena Apodaca, who brought her two children, Yuvia, 7, and Santiago, 4, with her. "We came because (Yuvia) likes Enrique. She dances to his music on the way to school."
The concert opened with the band Soul Track Mind, a band out of Austin, Texas. The lead singer, Donovan Keith said he looked forward to playing at Fort Sill because his father was in the Army and his brother serves in the Marines.
"We did a military tribute last month and the show's promoter got with us because they know it would be perfect for us," Keith said. "I didn't expect anything coming here but the response was great."
At one point during the concert, Keith remarked at a number of Soldiers singing back up to the band.
"We've never had a choir before," he said laughing.
It wouldn't be the only time Soldiers were noted for their singing. During Iglesias' portion of the concert, he asked the audience if anyone wanted to sing with him. Pvt. Misael Baker, an Advanced Individual Training Soldier with C Battery, 1st Battalion, 78th Field Artillery, was chosen to sing "Stand by Me" with Iglesias. As Baker sang, Iglesias bowed down to him and the crowd cheered.
In the past the post has had a summer concert during the Fourth of July weekend. This year the city of Lawton organized their Freedom Festival for the holiday so the FMWR chose to have their summer concert the weekend.
"We try not to compete with local community activities," Spencer-Ragland said. "This gives military members more quality recreational opportunities.
"It's about having balance," she went on. "We work hard and when you work hard you want to have a chance to take a breath and have some fun. (The concert) was certainly an evening where we had lots of people out there having a good time. We're honored to be able to do that."
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