New York City Mayor Eric Adams was reportedly not given the opportunity to speak at the funeral service for Army Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad, who was killed in an Iranian drone attack in Jordan on July 17. The service took place Friday in Ozone Park, Queens, where Rampersad, a local resident, was laid to rest.
According to reports, Mayor Adams was present at the church service but did not deliver any eulogy or remarks honoring Sergeant Rampersad. While the mayor was observed reviewing prepared statements on an electronic tablet as other officials addressed the mourners, his name was ultimately not called to the podium.
A source close to the funeral arrangements informed the New York Post that Rampersad’s family made the decision to exclude Mayor Adams from speaking. The apparent reason for this exclusion was to prevent any potential “political distractions” from overshadowing the solemn occasion and the memory of the fallen soldier.
Prepared Remarks Released
Following the service, the mayor’s office released the remarks Adams had intended to deliver. The prepared statement spoke to the ultimate sacrifice made by service members. “It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today,'” the planned remarks read. “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.”
Tributes from Other Officials
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, also a Democrat, did deliver remarks during the service. She expressed a sense of connection to the fallen sergeant, stating, “I feel after reading and admiring this woman from a distance, I feel like she could be one of my daughters.”
The Sacrifice in Jordan
Sergeant Angel Sarah Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, was killed in action on July 17. The Department of Defense confirmed her death occurred during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. U.S. Central Command stated that Rampersad and two other American service members lost their lives while defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone assaults.
The two other service members who perished in the attack were identified as:
- First Lieutenant Tyler James Feehan, 25, from Ewa Beach, Hawaii.
- Private Isabella Gonzales, 19, from Carrollton, Texas.
These brave individuals were deployed to Jordan as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the international effort aimed at combating ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Sergeant Rampersad was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, stationed in Ansbach, Germany. Her military occupational specialty was 25U, Signal Operations Support Specialist.
Broader Context of Attacks
The attack in Jordan was part of a pattern of aggression that has seen U.S. forces targeted in the region. The incident involving the deaths of Rampersad, Feehan, and Gonzales drew strong condemnation from U.S. officials, with then-President Donald Trump vowing that Iran would “pay many times over” for the attack.
The deployment of these service members to Jordan underscores the ongoing commitment of the United States to regional stability and the fight against extremist groups. Their mission, as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, involved supporting partner forces in complex and dangerous environments.
The loss of Sergeant Rampersad is deeply felt not only by her family and the military community but also by her hometown of Ozone Park, highlighting the personal cost of global security operations. The decision by her family to control who spoke at her funeral underscores their desire for a ceremony focused solely on remembrance and honoring their loved one’s sacrifice, free from political entanglements.
The incident also brings to light the sensitive political landscape surrounding military actions and the role of public officials at memorial services. While mayors and governors often participate in such events to show solidarity and support, the family’s wishes ultimately took precedence in this instance, prioritizing a personal and unburdened farewell for Sergeant Rampersad.
