Memorial Day tradition in Nassau honors those who've made 'the supreme sacrifice'

Sirens will ring at Mineola's Fire Department on Monday to usher in Memorial Day and prompt those nearby to remember members of the U.S. military who died in service to the country, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced at a  firehouse in Mineola on Friday.

Friday's announcement, which also included a brief sounding of the siren, was attended by about two dozen people, ranging from Blakeman, to multiple local fire officials and Vietnam War veteran Luke Magliaro.

The sirens will sound twice on Monday — for 50 seconds at both noon and at 6 p.m. — and it will be accompanied by the ringing of all Diocese of Rockville Centre church bells to honor deceased members of the military, according to Friday's announcement.

"Memorial Day is ... a day that we honor and reflect on the sacrifices, on the lives of those who have passed before us in all wars for our country," said Magliaro, who retired as a U.S. Navy Commander and serves as Hempstead Town’s director of veterans services.

"We would not be having this conversation today if it were not for those who fought for this country and more importantly for those who have given their lives — the supreme sacrifice — so that we could be here," he added.

Monday will mark the fifth consecutive year Nassau County has held the moment of remembrance on Memorial Day. 

The idea behind the 50-second siren blaring, according to Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro, is to encourage residents to remember why they may be celebrating this weekend. He said the 50-second duration of the siren blasts are to represent the 50 states.

"With the barbecues and all of the fun stuff going on, you take a minute just to stop and think, ‘all right, the reason we’re having barbecues, hamburgers, hot dogs and beers is because people sacrifice their lives for the country," he told Newsday at the Mineola firehouse. "It’s a nice touch."

By Sam Kmack

sam.kmack@newsday.com

Sam Kmack covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California and previously worked as a city watchdog reporter in the Phoenix metro area, as well as an investigative journalist at the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting.