New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was reportedly denied the opportunity to speak Friday during the funeral of Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens, one of three U.S. service members killed in Jordan during an Iranian attack on July 17.
Mamdani attended the service at a church in Ozone Park but did not deliver remarks honoring Rampersad. The mayor appeared to review prepared remarks on an iPad as other dignitaries spoke, but his name was never called.
A source close to the funeral told that Rampersad's family chose not to have Mamdani speak in an effort to avoid any "political distractions." The mayor's office later released his prepared remarks, which included a quote often said about fallen service members.
"It is often said that our fallen 'gave their tomorrows for our today,'" 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."
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, delivered remarks during the service. She expressed her admiration for Rampersad and referred to her as a potential daughter, highlighting the deep impact of the fallen service member's sacrifice.
Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, was killed in action during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. She was part of a group of U.S. service members who defended against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks while deployed to Jordan in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Rampersad was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Ansbach, Germany. She served as a 25U Signal Operations Support Specialist, according to her official record.
