You couldn’t miss — and didn’t want to miss — Trace Adkins in Fall River on Friday. It wasn’t merely the size of the strapping, 6-foot, 6-inch Louisiana-born cowboy and country singer. The deep, warm voice resonated as soon as he hoisted himself out of the driver’s seat of a bulky white Silverado pickup to greet a few hundred fans at the Stop & Shop in the South End. He was an hour late, but no one cared. He signed guitars, CDs, books and the sleeveless purple jersey of 8-year-old Alexis Alves, whose family works with Operation Military Smiles, the organization — whose founders are Carlene and Paul Barrett — that made Adkins and his film crew travel here to film a segment for his “great American Heroes” reality TV program this fall. “Hey, baby,” Adkins said to a young, blonde woman wanting his autograph. With the sweep of his pen writing “Trace,” he smiled. The patriotic performer — who's had singing tours in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan, and $100,000 raised for the Wounded Veterans Project — was quick to greet veterans young and old, and pose for photos with fans. from the SouthCoast Iron Order Motorcycle Club, Fall Riverites “Red” Grinvalsky, “Caffeine” Lambert and Pat Richards wore black vests and brought the order of the day: children’s toys for Operation Military Smiles that would go to the children of veterans. The toy donation was the focus of the filming. The goal was to collect 1,000 toys for the holidays. “It’s appreciation to our vets,” said Grinvalsky, a Vietnam-era vet. “we do a lot of charity runs for kids.” “It’s fantastic for a man of his caliber to even think about it, and this is from his heart,” said Paul Barrett, the father of Sgt. Robert Barrett, of Trace Adkins' visit. Robert Barrett, a National Guard sergeant and B.M.C. Durfee High School grad, was killed in action in the spring of 2010 in Afghanistan, a month shy of his 21st birthday. He left behind a daughter, Sophie, who will turn 5 next month. Paul Barrett talked about a female donor who typified the group's spirit. When told Adkins hadn’t arrived after dropping off her present, he said, “She said, ‘OK, I’ll go to Walmart and get another one.’” Beth Goncalo, who lost her son, Ethan, in Afghanistan nearly six months after Barrett's death, said she told the film crews why she got involved in Operation Military Smiles. “It’s a good cause. You can’t beat putting a smile on a child’s face,” Goncalo said. She remembered her son adored Christmas, and how, as a child, he understood traveling to the nearby Harbor Mall to donate gifts “because Santa couldn’t get to everyone.” “Giving heals the soul,” she said. “You always feel good after you give.” It was Robert Barrett’s love of children and those he helped in Afghanistan that prompted his parents and family to pay it forward to help others and bring about good after tragedy. The Barretts and a few other military parents started the Smiles group for veterans to help hard-pressed or grieving families. The Military Friends Foundation, a statewide organization, is the sponsoring umbrella group and helped give out 5,000 gifts last year. Later, inside what is now the Sgt. Robert Barrett Gym at the Dwelly Street Armory, Adkins filmed a staged segment featuring children, Santa and gifts. among them, Hillary Messier held her son, Daniel Jr., 18 months old. He wore a blue shirt that read: “my Dad is my Hero.” Daniel Messier Sr. is deployed on his second tour aboard the USS Providence Navy submarine. The Messiers are from Groton, Conn., but they live with Hillary Messier's  mother, Tammy Ruggieri, in Somerset while Messier's husband is gone. “It’s really nice of him to do this,” Hillary Messier said of Adkins. “It’s really great that there are some writers and artists that recognize us, because some really don’t.” Seeing Adkins made her think of his songs “Swing Batter Batter Swing” and “them Lips (on Mine)” — because she and her husband love those tunes. two hours after he arrived, Adkins and the film crews finished emotional interviews with the Barretts. on the second floor of the armory, dozens of Operation Military Smiles volunteers, military families and children gathered around donated toys. It was quiet in the room when Paul Barrett walked in with Adkins. “this is amazing,” he said tearfully. “I’m just honored to know you and to have been able to meet you. I just wish I’d been able to meet your son, Robert,” Adkins said to the Barretts, voicing appreciation to the other veterans families. “Maybe this will help,” Adkins said of his coming to Fall River to recognize them on the national stage. Carlene and Paul Barrett stood with many people they know well who helped bring this event together. “this is kind of our way of saying, ‘Thank you, guys,’" Adkins said. “your son is a hero, and you guys are heroes.” after Adkins provided the Barretts with tickets to his Friday night show in Hyannis, there was one final surprise: Those gathered for the filming sang happy birthday to Carlene Barrett. “I never expected anything like this to ever happen,” she said later, recalling how just a few weeks ago the Adkins folks called to ask if Operation Military Smiles “could put something together.” Of Adkins, she said, “I could never, ever could thank one person enough for what he’s done.” Fall River was one of 10 cities that was selected to be featured on the country and western TV show “great American Heroes." Several other segments have also been filmed. “this is great,” Adkins said. “this has been my favorite one.”

Trace Adkins visits Fall River to meet fans, film TV show

Tags: alexis, reality tv, trace adkins

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