The anguished mother of Queens’ Sgt. Angel Rampersad, who was killed last week in an Iranian attack on a U.S. airbase overseas, said she was both proud and sad over the death of her determined daughter.
A day after Rampersad’s remains were returned to the United States in a solemn dignified transfer ceremony, her heartbroken mother stood outside her Ozone Park home with family and friends to pay tribute to the young fallen patriot.
“She died for this country, and I am a mother who’s highly proud of her,” said Carol Acevedo outside the home where an American flag flew at half staff. “And I know she was really, really focused on what she was doing, and she loved it.”
A day earlier, Acevedo and other family members were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware as Rampersad’s body and the remains of three other soldiers were returned to the U.S. in a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump.
Joining the sergeant’s family was Rampersad’s wife, whom she met in the Army. The couple adopted a black-and-white terrier named Rio, neighbors told the New York Times.
A short time before the ceremony, Trump generated some outrage as he told reporters that the soldiers who died — including Rampersad — were in full support of the war that has so far claimed the lives of 18 service members.
“All of them said very strongly, ‘We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’” Trump said en route to the ceremony. “(Iran) won’t have a nuclear weapon. So we’re going to honor them.”
Rampersad’s family didn’t address Trump’s comments or the soldier’s position on the controversial war.
Instead, they emphasized her dedication and determination to serve her country, like one of her favorite uncles.
“At the age of 18, Angel knew exactly who she wanted, what she wanted to do with her life,” said Rampersad’s aunt, Judy Rackel, “She was unable at 18 to sign up for the military without her mom’s permission. So 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.”
In the meantime, Rampersad studied for two years at Queensborough Community College, and then transferred to John Jay College, where she majored in criminal justice.
She also spent time traveling to Trinidad, where she was born and lived for two years before coming to the U.S with her mother and sister, Rackel said.
“Angel was always a happy, contented, and calm person all through her life,” Rackel said. “In the face of every crisis that her family encountered, she would be the calming element all the time. She had a quiet strength, even as a child.”
“Her mom, Carol, struggled to raise both her girls when she came to New York without much support,” she added. “Sarah, as we call her, learned strength, courage, and determination by observing her mom.”
The soldiers were killed by Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks in the first troop deaths from direct Iranian fire since the opening days of the war. They were deployed to support a U.S. mission against the Islamic State group, a U.S. Central Command statement said.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards told reporters he is working to rename the street corner by their house after Rampersad and said he wants to do the same for a neighborhood school.
“Angel was a hero, plain and simple,” Richards said. “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. What’s not up for debate is how special of a person you have to be to wear the uniform and serve our nation. Her legacy of selflessness and sacrifice will live on forever here in Ozone Park and across Queens, but not just Queens, across this nation.”
