{"id":24332,"date":"2026-08-01T16:41:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=24332"},"modified":"2026-08-01T16:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T11:41:42","slug":"killed-in-iranian-missile-attack-staff-sgt-rampersad-laid-to-rest-npr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=24332","title":{"rendered":"Killed in Iranian missile attack, Staff Sgt. Rampersad laid to rest : NPR"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"storytext\">\n<div id=\"resg-s1-136763\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 3000;&#10;        --source-height: 2000;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 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395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x2000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"The casket of Staff Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, who was killed in the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, is carried by NYPD officers during the funeral procession in New York on Friday, July 31.\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                The casket of Staff Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, who was killed in the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, is carried by NYPD officers during the funeral procession in New York on Friday, July 31.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Ryan Murphy\/AP<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Ryan Murphy\/AP<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>NEW YORK \u2014 When Carolina Flores saw two men in military uniforms approach her friend&#8217;s house across the street, she had a feeling something was wrong. Her friend Carol Acevedo&#8217;s daughter was serving in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Once they closed the door, we just heard her screaming,&#8221; Flores said.<\/p>\n<p>The men had come to deliver the news that 28-year-old Angel S. Rampersad, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army, was killed July 17 in an attack on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. She was one of four American soldiers killed overseas in the last month.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-backstage-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap backstage\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>And just like that, a faraway war hit home in Ozone Park, Queens.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s one of the most diverse places in the country. At a vigil for Rampersad Monday, dozens of neighbors from countries such as Colombia and Morocco gathered around the family&#8217;s two-story home on a tree-lined street corner as the sun began to set. They lit candles, sang and prayed as an American flag waved at half staff.<\/p>\n<p>First responders and community members lined the nearby sidewalks Friday to salute her flag-draped casket as it passed by, headed to funeral services at Calvary Assembly of God Church, just half a mile from Rampersad&#8217;s home. Those who eulogized her said she wouldn&#8217;t believe all the recognition she was receiving.<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-136765\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 7723;&#10;        --source-height: 5149;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/7723x5149+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F02%2F92%2F110d87d04d9e9cab2e7b7b477186%2Fap26209043517127.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"Family of Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad, aunt Judy Rackal, left, mother Carol Acevedo, center, and sister Laura Tamby, right, attend a candlelight vigil outside her home in Ozone Park, Monday, July 27, 2026, in the Queens borough of New York.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                The family of Staff Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, aunt Judy Rackal, left, mother Carol Acevedo, center, and sister Laura Tamby, right, attend a candlelight vigil outside her home in Ozone Park, New York, on July 27.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Yuki Iwamura\/AP<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Yuki Iwamura\/AP<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Rampersad was born in Trinidad. Her mother brought her to the U.S. when she was 2 years old. As she got older, she was fiercely determined to serve her adopted country, according to the relatives, friends and community leaders who spoke about her.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u200aAngel Rampersad was not born in the United States of America, but Angel Rampersad was willing to die for the United States of America,&#8221; said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. &#8220;That&#8217;s how strongly she felt about America, not just the place, but the idea of what this country could be.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-secondary-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap secondary\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<aside id=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" class=\"mid-story-recommendations-mount-piano\" aria-label=\"recommended stories\"\/>\n<!-- END ID=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" CLASS=\"MID-STORY-RECOMMENDATIONS-MOUNT-PIANO\" ARIA-LABEL=\"RECOMMENDED STORIES\" --><\/p>\n<p>Rampersad was eager enough to join the military that she tried to enlist at 18, before her mother was ready to let her go, according to her aunt, Judy Rackal.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;She was unable at 18 to sign up for the military without her mom&#8217;s permission, so a few days after her 21st birthday, she made an appointment with the recruiter and signed up on her own,&#8221; Rackal recounted at a press conference late last week.<\/p>\n<p>\u200aRampersad was assigned to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and served in Hawaii and Germany before being deployed to the Middle East. Over the course of seven years, she earned several awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, according to the U.S. Department of War.<\/p>\n<p>In Jordan, she worked on military communication systems \u2014 a path her close family friend, Army veteran Deo Singh, advised her to take because it was &#8220;kind of behind the line and it&#8217;s safer,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Rampersad was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u200aMy daughter was a good soldier. She fought for this country and she died for this country, and I am a mother that is highly proud of her,&#8221; Carol Acevedo said at the vigil, her voice wavering with emotion. &#8220;I know she was really, really focused on what she was doing. She loved it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div id=\"resg-s1-136764\" class=\"bucketwrap image x-large\">\n<div class=\"imagewrap has-source-dimensions\" data-crop-type=\"\" style=\"&#10;        --source-width: 6000;&#10;        --source-height: 4000;&#10;    \">\n        <picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/webp\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/webp\"\/><source srcset=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 400w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/900\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 900w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1200\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1200w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1600\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1600w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1800\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 1800w,&#10;https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/2400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg 2400w\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1350px) 953px, (min-width: 1025px) calc(100vw - 395px), (min-width: 768px) calc(100vw - 60px), calc(100vw - 30px)\" class=\"img\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1100\/quality\/50\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg\" data-template=\"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/{width}\/quality\/{quality}\/format\/{format}\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F56%2F0b%2F279f98a44c99bdcaf3577795e8ab%2Fgettyimages-2287922342.jpg\" class=\"img\" alt=\"A candlelight vigil is held for Army Sgt. Angel Rampersad in front of her family's home on July 27, 2026 in the Ozone Park area of New York City. Rampersad was one of three American service members killed in action on July 17 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. Her funeral is scheduled for Friday.\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"credit-caption\">\n<div class=\"caption-wrap\">\n<div class=\"caption\" aria-label=\"Image caption\">\n<p>\n                A candlelight vigil is held for Staff Sgt. Rampersad in front of her family&#8217;s home on July 27 in New York.<br \/>\n                <b class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>                    Spencer Platt\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>                <\/b><br \/>\n                <b class=\"hide-caption\"><b>hide caption<\/b><\/b>\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <b class=\"toggle-caption\"><br \/>\n              <svg class=\"icon icon--info\"><use href=\"#icon-info\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n              <b>toggle caption<\/b><br \/>\n            <\/b>\n    <\/div>\n<p>    <span class=\"credit\" aria-label=\"Image credit\"><\/p>\n<p>        Spencer Platt\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<p>    <\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Aside from Rampersad&#8217;s military service, she was remembered for her strong ties to her community, where she was the drummer at her local church and played on her high school&#8217;s softball and bowling teams.<\/p>\n<p>Her family said she studied at Queensborough Community College for two years before graduating from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York. She then enlisted in the military.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;\u200aAngel was always a happy, contented, and calm person all through her life. In the face of every crisis that her family encountered, she would be the calming element all the time,&#8221; Rackal, her aunt, added.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"ad-third-wrap\" class=\"ad-wrap third\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>At the funeral Friday, Acevedo spoke briefly, through tears.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Love your kids, hug them. I don&#8217;t have mine to hug anymore,&#8221; she said. &#8220;But to those who have, embrace them, cherish them and be there for them. They will need guidance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The casket of Staff Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, who was killed in the ongoing war between the U.S. and Iran, is carried by NYPD officers during the funeral procession in New York on Friday, July 31. Ryan Murphy\/AP hide caption toggle caption Ryan Murphy\/AP NEW YORK \u2014 When Carolina Flores saw two men in military&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24333,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/npr.brightspotcdn.com\/dims3\/default\/strip\/false\/crop\/3000x1688+0+156\/resize\/1400\/quality\/85\/format\/jpeg\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F9d%2F7c%2Fe2c3bece4a9b9fa06f7325e4d84e%2Fap26212580639821.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-political-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24332","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24332\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24333"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}