The mother of Staff Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad broke down as she remembered her 28-year-old daughter.
“My daughter was the real hero and I will miss her dearly,” Carol Acevedo said Friday.
Rampersad was killed on July 17 during an attack at a military base in Jordan, and was promoted from sergeant to staff sergeant posthumously. She enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2019, waiting until after she turned 21 at her mother’s request.
She received several medals in her years of service to the nation, including the Army Commendation Medal for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service.
Friends remember her as loyal, loved drumming, liked to have fun, but was always considerate, kind and caring.
“You have all come to know her as a hero,” one friend said. “She was known to us as a devoted daughter, a loving sister, a charismatic aunt and a friend to many. She had a laugh that could heal your soul and was the friend that would hold us through our disappointments.”
“She is the most considerate, humble and selfless person I’ve ever met,” another friend said.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other elected officials also attended the funeral service in Ozone Park, including Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The governor said she had prepared remarks but changed them after hearing Rampersad’s friends and family.
“Grief is the price you pay for love,” Hochul said. “So we’re full of grief today. But that means we love someone so deeply, so profoundly. And that is this young woman, this angel among us.”
“I want you all to know all those who have kids,” Acevedo said. “Love your kids. Hug them. I don’t know have mine to hug anymore.”
To honor Rampersad, both the mayor and governor have ordered flags to fly at half-staff.
Also, there is now an effort in the City Council to name a street and a school after her.