In the opening seconds of Sharon Bryant’s song “A Mother’s Heart,” over subdued keyboards and the explosive sounds of battle, a narration tells her struggle.

“This is the story of a boy, serving his country and fighting for his life. And I worry. And I wait.”

Ms. Bryant’s song, one of several the St. Joseph songwriter has recorded as a Christian artist, reflects her concern for the safety of her son, Spc. Joel C. Bryant, as he fights in Iraq for the U.S. Army.

She had even more reason to worry after hearing the panic in her son’s voice when he described his first IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack. His convoy was hit, and a soldier in his platoon was killed. Another member of his platoon attempted to cover up the soldier’s body and took a great deal of shrapnel in the process.

“That was what really inspired me to realize how much these guys do for each other even after they’re dead,” Ms. Bryant says.

It was events like this that got Ms. Bryant heavily involved in aiding the U.S. Army over the last nine months. She has traveled to visit wounded soldiers and families at Brooks Army Medical Center in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington D.C. and Martin Army Hospital in Fort Benning, Ga. She’s visited several “Wounded Warrior” units that housed the most critically wounded soldiers. Ms. Bryant feels a special tie to these soldiers’ sacrifices and her son’s current survival.

“You just never know how these guys are linked,” Ms. Bryant says. “Any bullet that they have taken could have been meant for my son.”

In addition to her visitations, Ms. Bryant regularly performs at Ashland United Methodist Church and released “A Mother’s Heart” in 2007. The CD is available at Hastings for $8.99. Proceeds go directly to www.unmetneeds.org, which distributes donations directly to soldiers and helps to fund family travel and visitation. Ms. Bryant also uses proceeds to purchase and send undergarments, like T-shirts, socks and underwear, to wounded soldiers in the Middle East, items she says are supplies many military medical facilities lack.

“I put it in a box and off it goes,” she says.

Ms. Bryant’s efforts have not gone without recognition. She was recently awarded the title of U.S. Army “Special Liaison” for her work with “Wounded Warriors.”

“It makes me feel like that people are benefiting from what I do. It makes me feel like I’m not out there in the dark,” she says.

At the end of “A Mother’s Heart,” a re-enactment of her son’s voice says, “please tell everyone to keep praying.” While Sharon Bryant makes sure to pray, she also makes sure to do much more as long as U.S. troops continue to sacrifice.

“It’s a very personal journey for me, and probably one I am going to be on until the day I die,” Ms. Bryant says. “There’s always going to be someone stepping up and coming to bat for somebody else who won’t.”

Lifestyles reporter Blake Hannon can be reached at blakehannon@npgco.com.