United States Democratic Congressman Gregory W. Meeks on Friday paid tribute to Trinidadian-American soldier Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, who was killed in an Iranian missile strike.
Rampersad, who lived in Ozone Park in Queens, New York, before enlisting in the United States Army, was born in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as her parents Basdeo and Carol Rampersad.
Rampersad was a constituent of Meeks’ 5th Congressional District in New York.
‘Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Sgt. Angel Rampersad, who was a courageous member of our armed forces, beloved daughter and cherished community member,’ Meeks said. ‘I was saddened to learn of her tragic passing while answering the call to serve our nation.
‘We will always remember Sgt. Rampersad’s dedication, courage and lasting legacy of service she leaves behind,’ he added. ‘While no words can ease the pain of this profound loss, my heart and deepest condolences go out to her loved ones during this unimaginable time.
‘Let us all keep Sgt. Rampersad’s family and friends in our hearts and prayers as they grapple with the days ahead,’ Meeks continued. ‘May she rest in peace.’
Earlier this week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined legislators in paying tribute to Rampersad, who attended Public School 108, then Forest Hills High School in Queens, and later graduated from John Jay College, City University of New York, with a degree in criminal justice.
‘Today, New York mourns the loss of one of our own, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad of Ozone Park, who is believed to have been killed in action while serving our nation on July 17,’ said Hochul on Tuesday. ‘My heart is with her family, loved ones and the soldiers who stood beside her as they grieve this unimaginable loss.
‘Sgt. Rampersad lived a life of courage and selflessness,’ she added. ‘New York and our nation are safer because of brave Americans like her who answer the call to serve.
‘May we honor her memory, remember her sacrifice and keep all who loved her in our prayers,’ the governor continued.
Mamdani said Sgt. Rampersad was killed at a military base in Jordan ‘while serving our country.
‘Sgt. Rampersad’s courage and sacrifice will be remembered not just in Queens, but across all five boroughs,’ he said. ‘My deepest condolences are with her family, loved ones, and all those grieving this profound loss.
‘For so many New Yorkers, wars overseas are never distant-they are felt here at home,’ Mamdani added. ‘The sacrifices made by service members and their families are a constant reminder of this.
‘We are forever grateful for their service and will work every day to honor it,’ he continued.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Joann Ariola said in a joint statement that ‘our city mourns the presumed loss of Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, an Ozone Park resident who died this past weekend in Jordan serving her country.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they grieve the loss of their beloved,’ they said. ‘As this conflict continues in the Middle East, we pray that all our service members remain safe and return home to their families.’
New York State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, representative for the 38th Assembly District, which encompasses Ozone Park, described Sgt. Rampersad as an ‘American hero’.
She told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that Sgt. Rampersad, 28, was serving at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, when it came under enemy attack.
‘She answered America’s call with courage, selflessness, and an unwavering commitment to defending our nation and the freedoms we hold dear,’ Rajkumar said. ‘Sgt. Rampersad embodied the very best of the United States Army and of our country.
‘She served far from home, stood in harm’s way, and carried out her duty with honor,’ she added. ‘Her service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by Ozone Park, Queens, New York City, or a grateful nation.
‘We have a sacred obligation to honor those who wear our nation’s uniform and the families who serve and sacrifice alongside them,’ Rajkumar continued. ‘As a member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, my commitment is to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who serve and stand with the families who bear that sacrifice alongside them.
‘I stand shoulder to shoulder with her family, especially her parents, Basdeo and Carol, and with all who love her during this unimaginable loss,’ she said.
The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that Sgt. Rampersad ‘is believed to have been killed in action on July 17, 2026, during an enemy attack at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan.
‘The incident is under investigation,’ it said. ‘US Central Command previously announced this soldier as missing. The soldier status was updated to a Duty Status-Whereabouts Unknown and is believed to be deceased.’
The Pentagon said Sgt. Rampersad was assigned to 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Ansbach, Germany.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., whose father hailed from Jamaica, said he plans to honor Sgt. Rampersad for her bravery by co-naming the street outside her family home in Ozone Park.
‘She made the ultimate sacrifice,’ he told reporters. ‘Angel was a hero, plain and simple. No matter what you think of this war, what is not up for debate is the bravery it takes to enlist like Angel did seven years ago.
‘She put her community before herself,’ Richards added. ‘Her legacy of selflessness and sacrifice will live on forever here in Ozone Park, and across Queens, but not just Queens, across this nation.’
Earlier, Richards posted on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Sgt. Rampersad should still be alive, serving her country with courage and counting down the days to her return to Ozone Park.
‘To know that she’s coming home in a flag-draped casket – killed in a reckless war that Americans don’t support – is absolutely heartbreaking,’ he said.