Funeral to be held for Staff Sgt. Angel Rampersad, killed in Iranian missile attack in Jordan
QUEENS (WABC) -- Family, friends and members of the Ozone Park community will gather Friday to say a final goodbye to Staff Sgt. Angel Rampersad, the 28-year-old U.S. service member who was killed in an Iranian missile attack on an air base in Jordan.
A private funeral will be held at her church in Ozone Park. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other elected officials are expected to attend and pay tribute to the fallen soldier.
Rampersad was one of the U.S. service members killed in the missile attack and among 18 Americans who have died since the conflict began nearly five months ago.
In the days leading up to her funeral, community members gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor Rampersad, remembering her as a courageous service member who dedicated her life to protecting others. Born in Trinidad, Rampersad later made New York her home.
"Angel Rampersad was not born in the United States of America, but Angel Rampersad was willing to die for the United States of America. That takes a lot of courage," Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said during the vigil.
Gov. Hochul ordered flags across New York state to be flown at half-staff Friday in Rampersad's honor.
Following the funeral, a procession will travel through Ozone Park before continuing to Long Island National Cemetery, where Rampersad will be laid to rest.
Local leaders are also pushing to permanently honor her legacy by renaming a stretch of Cross Bay Boulevard after Staff Sgt. Angel Rampersad.
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