Lehi teen singing to help those hurt by war

LEHI — Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson may have Cindy Sheehan, but Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has Jaden Bliss.

Who's Jaden Bliss?

She's a 13-year-old singer-songwriter from Lehi who has captured the hearts and attention of Utahns with her collection of songs honoring America's soldiers.

Anderson invited Sheehan, who lost her son in the war in Iraq in 2004, to come and protest Bush's visit. Meanwhile, Shurtleff arranged for the Lehi schoolgirl to sing her songs at the Freedom Rally in Liberty Park and Washington Square.

Shurtleff wanted Bliss to sing for President Bush.

Bliss wanted to sing for the family of Adam Galvez, a Marine from Salt Lake City who recently died in Iraq.

Bliss has been writing songs about patriotism and love of country since the fifth grade.

"I just wanted our soldiers to know how much I love and appreciate all the sacrifices they make in defending this country, and I also want their families to know that I'm thinking of them and that they are in my prayers tonight. I'm so proud to be an American," Bliss said.

Bliss began selling her CD door-to-door for $10 and gave the money to the National Freedom Alliance and the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund. She's sold 90 copies.

Her collection includes: "So Proud (To Be an American)," "God Bless Our Soldiers Tonight," and "Dear Friend," available at: www.blessoursoldiers.com.

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com