OZONE PARK, Queens, N.Y., July 25, 2026 – Numerous mourners meet in Ozone Park Friday evening to pay homage to 28-year-old Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, a Queens resident who died overseas. Gathered outside the Rampersad family home, family members to neighbours to elected and non-elected officials, veterans and community members all fell silent in remembrance of the soldier. The gathering also evolved, as the night wore on, into a forum for requests to scale back U.S. military power in the Middle East.
The memorial included U.S. flags and floral tributes and candles as the people honoured at moments of silence for Rampersad’s life and service.
Rampersad, who was born in Trinidad and moved to Queens at a young age, was remembered by family and friends as a dedicated soldier, loving friend and involved community member. She was on active duty and died in an assault on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, military officials said.
Rampersad’s family, in a statement at the vigil, called her “a defender, friend and champion for those who could not advocate for themselves.” Her dedication to family and community legacy, they added, will always live on in those who loved her.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards lamented the soldier’s death and warned about the human toll of continued wars abroad. At the vigil, Richards said that the death of a local service member highlighted the need to seek diplomatic solutions wherever possible.
When night came, members of anti-war groups marched alongside residents to demand no more military escalation. Protesters held signs reading “Bring Our Troops Home” and “Invest in Queens, Not War,” insisting spending on foreign wars could be better spent on local needs like housing, education and health care.
Separate demonstrations were also reported in Manhattan, where organisers urged federal lawmakers to reassess military spending and prioritise domestic investment. Speakers at the rallies said overseas conflicts continue to have a direct impact on New York communities, particularly families with loved ones serving in the armed forces.
The vigils were peaceful throughout the night, with attendees reflecting on both remembrance and action. Although countless gathered to honour Rampersad’s military service and sacrifice, others seized the gathering to express their outrage over U.S. foreign policy, as it relates to service members and their families, in general.
The death of Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad has led to an outpouring throughout Queens, where folks mourn her demise while contemplating the broader implications of overseas Navy battle.
Editor’s Note: The image accompanying this article is an AI-generated illustrative image and is not an actual photograph of the vigil or the individuals mentioned.
