Ozone Park community members continue to stop by, bringing flowers and offering their condolences to the fallen soldier’s family.
The family described this as an unbearable tragedy.
What You Need To Know
Ozone Park community members continue to stop by, bringing flowers and offering their condolences to the fallen soldier’s family
Sgt. Angel Rampersad was killed in the line of duty at a military base in Jordan. She was supporting overseas operations when Iranian forces attacked the base on Friday
Rampersad came to New York City when she was 2 and a half years old from Trinidad. Her mother raised her and her older sister without much support
“My daughter was a good, a good solider,” Carol Acevedo said as she cried during a press conference on Thursday.
Acevedo said her daughter died doing what she loved: serving her country.
“She fought for this country, and she died for this country, and I am a mother [who] is highly proud of her. And I know she was really, really focused on what she was doing, she loved it,” she added.
Sgt. Angel Rampersad was killed in the line of duty at a military base in Jordan. She was supporting overseas operations when Iranian forces attacked the base on Friday.
“She was a daughter of Ozone Park, a hometown hero and an American hero whose life and service will never be forgotten,” said Sam Esposito, the president of the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, which has been helping the family.
Rampersad came to New York City when she was 2 and a half years old from Trinidad. Her mother raised her and her older sister without much support.
She went to Forrest Hills High School and eventually majored in criminal justice at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Rampersad was a wife, sister and dog mom.
Her mother remembers her 28-year-old daughter’s great spirit, while her aunt remembers her calming presence in the family.
“Angel was always a happy, contented and calm person all through her life,” Judy Rackel, aunt of Rampersad, said.
As someone who wasn’t born in the U.S., Rampersad loved her country so much that she was willing to defend it.
“A few days after her 21st birthday, she made an appointment with the recruiter and signed up on her own. Her mom found out after it was done,” Rackel said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced he’s working to rename this street after Rampersad, as well as a school in the neighborhood.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
According to the family, they’re working to bring Rampersad’s father to the city for the funeral because he still lives in Trinidad.
Meanwhile, a community vigil is planned for Monday night.