Nassau County to mark Memorial Day with sirens to honor fallen veterans

Nassau County will honor fallen veterans on Memorial Day with fire and police sirens at noon and 6 p.m. on Monday. 

The annual observance began in May 2022 when Nassau's fire departments, ambulance corps and police cars coordinated to sound their sirens together. 

Residents are asked to stand quietly for 50 seconds to honor those who died in the line of duty. The Diocese of Rockville Centre church bells will ring along with the sirens.

County Executive Bruce Blakeman introduced the concept, called the "Moment to Remember" and modeled after a similar practice in Israel where the sirens coincide with a nationwide pause to remember those killed in the Holocaust. 

Blakeman will join veterans and first responders in observance on Monday.

"When you hear that siren — whether you're at a barbecue, whether you're at a parade, whether you're at the beach, whether you're at the airshow, wherever you may be — please take a moment, stand at attention, be silent and think about those who gave their life for America," Blakeman said in a statement.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.