NYC mayor was not called to speak at funeral for Army sergeant killed in Iran attack

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani did not deliver remarks at the funeral of Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad in Queens, according to reports. The service was held in Ozone Park for Rampersad, one of three U.S. service members killed during an Iranian attack in Jordan on July 17.

Sources told the New York Post that Mamdani appeared to review prepared remarks on an iPad as other dignitaries spoke. However, his name was not called during the ceremony. A source familiar with the funeral said Rampersad’s family chose not to have Mamdani speak to avoid any political distractions.

The mayor’s office later released his prepared remarks, which paid tribute to Rampersad’s sacrifice. Mamdani said, “It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today.’ Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her: birthdays, mornings, evenings with loved ones. But she gave them up so we could be safe and protected.”

Governor Kathy Hochul also spoke at the service. She said, “I feel like she could be one of my daughters,” reflecting on Rampersad’s service and sacrifice.

Rampersad, 28, was killed during an attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. She was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, based in Germany, and served as a Signal Operations Support Specialist. According to U.S. Central Command, she and two other service members died defending against Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. The other victims were 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, both supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment. Greg Norman-Diamond contributed to this report.

Source: Original Article