New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the funeral of Army Sgt.
Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens but was not permitted to speak, according to reports on July 31, 2026.
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Sgt. Rampersad, one of three U.
S.
service members killed during an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17, was honored by family, officials, and military leaders at the Ozone Park church funeral.
The mayor was reportedly prepared to deliver remarks but was not called to speak, as Rampersad's family chose to avoid political distractions, according to a source familiar with the event reported by the New York Post.
Mayor Mamdani's office later released his prepared statement, which included, "It is often said that our fallen 'gave their tomorrows for our today.'
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."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at the service, saying, "I feel after reading and admiring this woman from a distance, I feel like she could be one of my daughters."
Governor Hochul also reflected on the sacrifice of immigrants who serve the country, stating, "I wish people would take notice of the fact of how many people came here, being born elsewhere, who actually step up and are willing to shed blood for a country that they were not born in; that is a lesson that should be observed."
