Blakeman Marks Fifth Nassau County Memorial Day Parade Near Me Sirens

Nassau County will again mark memorial day parade near me with 50-second siren blasts in Mineola on Monday, extending a fifth consecutive year of remembrance for people who died in military service. County Executive Bruce Blakeman announced the observance at a firehouse in Mineola on Friday, where about two dozen people gathered.

Mineola Fire Department

The sirens will sound at Mineola's Fire Department at noon and again at 6 p.m. Each blast will last 50 seconds, a length Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said represents the 50 states. The siren blasts will be paired with the ringing of all Diocese of Rockville Centre church bells.

Bruce Blakeman and Luke Magliaro

Blakeman made the announcement with multiple local fire officials and Vietnam War veteran Luke Magliaro, who retired as a Navy commander and now serves as Hempstead Town’s director of veterans services. Magliaro told those gathered, "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".

He also said, "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". Uttaro added, "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".

Diocese of Rockville Centre

The countywide observance will be heard across Nassau County, not just in Mineola, because the church bells are set to ring alongside the sirens. After five straight Memorial Days of the same tribute, Monday's display asks residents to stop for a minute at two fixed times, then carry on with the rest of the day in the usual way.