Heroic Farewell for Indian-Origin US Army Sergeant Angel Rampersad
Tribute to a Fallen Hero
Photo: @ians_india/X
New York, August 1: The funeral of Indian-origin US Army Sergeant Angel Rampersad, who lost her life during the Iran conflict, was marked by a heartfelt tribute in New York.
Her mother, Carol Acevedo, expressed her pride, stating, “My daughter was a true hero,” as she stood among officials, fellow soldiers, and hundreds of mourners who echoed her sentiments.
Rampersad, who moved to the US from Trinidad at the age of two, tragically died last month due to an Iranian missile strike targeting a US Army base in Jordan.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in her honor, remarking, “Staff Sergeant Rampersad exemplified courage and selflessness. Our state and nation are safer thanks to brave individuals like her who serve.”
The community came together to pay their respects during her final journey, which was broadcast live by various media outlets.
A motorcade, escorted by numerous New York Police motorcycles, transported her to the church for the funeral service and subsequently to a Long Island cemetery for military burial honors.
New York Mayor Zohair Mamdani, who opposes President Trump's actions regarding the Iran War, attended the service and stated, “Sgt. Rampersad's bravery and sacrifice will be remembered throughout the city she called home.”
He added, “For many New Yorkers, the impacts of overseas conflicts are felt deeply at home.”
Upon her return from Jordan to Dover Air Force Base on July 22, Rampersad was received with military honors by President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Stationed in Germany with the Army Air and Missile Defense Command, she was deployed to the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan for the ongoing conflict.
To date, 18 US military personnel have lost their lives in the Iran War, which commenced on February 28 following Israel's bombing of Iran, leading to US involvement.
Rampersad, along with four others killed in renewed hostilities after a US-Iran memorandum of understanding collapsed, was initially listed by the Pentagon as casualties of the Iran War.
However, they were later reclassified under a new category called “Overseas Operations,” seemingly to reduce the reported casualties from the Iran War.
Two other soldiers, Captain Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Private First Class Isabella Gonzales, 19, also perished in the same attack on July 17.
The following day, Sergeant Michael Emmanuel Swinton was killed in a drone attack on a base in Iraq.