Queens buries 28-year-old soldier killed in July 17 attack in Jordan
Why it matters: Angel S. Rampersad was one of four U.S. troops killed overseas in the past month as the war with Iran reached families at home.
Family, neighbors and elected officials gathered in Ozone Park, Queens, on Friday for the funeral of Staff Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, who was killed July 17 in an attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Rampersad, assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, was born in Trinidad and brought to the United States at age 2. Relatives said she had wanted to join the military for years and enlisted shortly after turning 21. She had served in Hawaii and Germany before deploying to the Middle East. At a vigil earlier in the week and at Friday’s procession, neighbors lined the streets, prayed and saluted as her flag-draped casket passed. U.S. Central Command said she was among American troops killed while defending against Iranian missile and drone attacks.