Spouses discover the different tourism and travel opportunities in the state through the Oklahoma Road Show during Spouse-A-Palooza May 15, 2013, at the Patriot Club. Six hundred spouses signed up for the night of pampering which included free food, ...

FORT SILL, Okla. (May 23, 2013) -- Oklahoma Tourism partnered with Fort Sill's Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation May 15 for Spouse-A-Palooza -- a night for those who support the military every day.

Live music by Cori Emmett and the Allen Biffle Band played as 600 spouses filtered into the Patriot Club for free food, giveaways and to peruse different tables put on by the tourism department's Oklahoma Road Show.

Each table displayed the different travel or adventures offered in the state.

"We have such wonderful things to do in Oklahoma," said Charlie Wallar, consumer travel coordinator. "This is a way for the tourism industry to come face-to-face and teach Oklahomans what to there is to do."

Ron Leatherman, military spouse, and retired Soldier of 26 years, said he is waiting for his wife,Regina, to retire from the Army so they can hit the road.

"A lot of people don't know it, but there's a lot of things to do outside of Lawton. We go up to Oklahoma City, Norman, down to Lake Murray all the time."

LaTonya McLaughlin said she often complained to her husband about the area, but was excited to find she was wrong.

"This is awesome. I tell my husband there's nothing in Oklahoma and there's everything in Oklahoma."

She listed her new discoveries from zip lining, to rock climbing to the only skeletal museum in the country, which happens to be in Oklahoma City.

BEING A SPOUSE

Facing deployment and a disabled child, McLaughlin said she loves being a military spouse. She has been one for eight years and she said the support system she has in the military helps her through the challenges.

"When I was a civilian you just feel like you're out there all by yourself, but as a military spouse you feel like there's always someone looking out for you," said McLaughlin.

Connie McDonald, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill first lady, attested to that support. After 23 houses, 19 PCSs, 12 different posts and as many schools for their children, McDonald spoke of the strength a spouse has to have.

"We have opportunities and we have challenges. Let me tell you something about you. Every thing we do we do big. We cry harder, we laugh harder, we hug harder, we persevere better we are committed to friends because we have learned to fill every moment. We love our Soldier and we love them deep. We move more, we have babies alone and we miss our extended family. Sometimes our extended family is our neighbor," said McDonald. "Thank you for taking care of each other and supporting each other. You are each other's best friends. You are the heart of America's military force."