Jordan Valley Glassworks Remembers Fallen Soldiers
EAST JORDAN, MI -- Memorial Day is a chance to pay tribute to all of the men and women who died serving our country and protecting our freedom.
One family business in East Jordan honors these fallen heroes.
"We wouldn't be able to be here, being artisans, blowing glass, if it weren't for the Veterans, who have gone to war, to protect our right to do so," said Bill Bavers of Jordan Valley Glassworks.
So Bill Bavers, his dad Jay, and his mom Shellie do what they can to remember those men and women. They create Niijima floats. The family at Jordan Valley Glassworks blows the glass balls into memorials. The ornaments are then put into Lake Charlevoix and area rivers.
They deal with 120 degree temperatures and a couple thousand degree furnaces. But each year, they say they get excited about doing their part for Memorial Day. The Niijima's are blown and engraved with the name of a Northern Michigan fallen soldier.
"Share the knowledge with their children and grandchildren, and pass on the importance of our veterans," said Bavers.
That's the point of the Niijimas. The beautiful artwork is a keepsake, if you find one after they're placed into the water.
As they float way in Lake Charlevoix, they'll soon be picked up. It'll be a gift for the finder and a keeper of the importance of those who sacrificed.
The Niijima's will be released on the East Jordan River and in Lake Charlevoix throughout the weekend.
Jordan Valley Glassworks does this free of charge.
They say they do it because it's just a small part of remembering fallen soldiers.
