The Funeral of Army Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens: A Tragic Loss and a Delayed Tribute
On Friday, July 21, the city of New York held a solemn funeral service for Army Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad, one of three U.S. service members killed during an Iranian attack on Jordan on July 17. The event was attended by dignitaries from across the country, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani of Queens.
According to reports, Mayor Mamdani did not deliver a speech at the funeral, despite being invited to do so. Instead, he reviewed prepared remarks on an iPad before other speakers took the stage. This decision was reportedly made by Rampersad’s family in an effort to avoid any potential “political distractions.”
The New York Post has obtained a copy of Mayor Mamdani’s prepared remarks, which included a heartfelt eulogy for Sergeant Rampersad and her fellow fallen comrades. In his speech, he reflected on the sacrifices that military personnel make and the importance of honoring their service.
“It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today,'” Mayor Mamdani planned to say. “Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her: birthdays, ordinary mornings, evenings spent with her loved ones. But she gave every one of them up so that we could have ours — so that we could stand here today, safe and protected.”
The Department of War has confirmed the identity of Sergeant Rampersad as a 28-year-old Army sergeant from Ozone Park, New York. She was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Ansbach, Germany.
Sergeant Rampersad’s fellow fallen comrades were identified as 25-year-old First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Private Isabella Gonzales of Carrollton, Texas. All three service members died while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.
The funeral was attended by a number of dignitaries, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who delivered remarks on behalf of the state of New York. The event also featured a eulogy from U.S. Central Command officials, who praised Sergeant Rampersad’s service and sacrifice.
In addition to Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul, other notable speakers at the funeral included representatives from the Department of War and the U.S. Army. Despite the emotional nature of the occasion, all attendees were reportedly respectful and somber in their tributes to the fallen soldiers.
The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel around the world and the importance of honoring their service with respect and dignity. As Mayor Mamdani noted during his eulogy, Sergeant Rampersad’s sacrifice will not be forgotten, but her memory will live on through the lives she touched while serving.
Source: Fox News Latest
Based on reporting from Fox News Latest.
