By all accounts, Army Sgt. Angel Sarah Rampersad’s funeral was meant to be about one thing, honoring a young American soldier who gave her life in uniform after an Iranian missile strike on a U.S. base in Jordan.
Instead, one of the biggest post-funeral storylines centered on someone who never got to the microphone.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly arrived at Calvary Assembly of God in Ozone Park with prepared remarks loaded on his iPad, expecting to deliver the customary mayoral tribute. But as Gov. Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. and other invited speakers addressed mourners, Mamdani remained seated in the fourth row.
“They kept calling names and then he was never called,” one attendee told reporters. “Then he looked over at his staff, frustrated and seemed angry that he didn’t speak. When he realized his name wasn’t being called, he looked at his staff angrily and then eventually put his tablet away.”
City Hall did not publicly explain why the mayor was omitted.
According to multiple sources familiar with the funeral planning, the decision came from those organizing the service after discussions with Rampersad’s family. Several sources said the family, described as conservative and supportive of President Donald Trump, wanted to minimize political distractions during a service honoring their daughter.
Rampersad, 28, was among three American service members killed during Iran’s July 17 missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The Queens native graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice before following family tradition into Army service.
Hundreds packed the church Friday to remember her. Gov. Kathy Hochul offered an emotional tribute.
“I feel after reading and admiring this woman from a distance, I feel like she could be one of my daughters.”
Daisy Davis-Credle, president of the Queens Sunday School Association, remembered Rampersad’s ability to connect with everyone around her.
“It’s not what you do, it’s how you do what you do. And she knew how to do that—they listened to her.”
After the service, NYPD officers carried Rampersad’s flag-draped casket into a waiting hearse before leading a lengthy police procession toward her burial on Long Island. Although he never spoke during the service, Mamdani’s office quickly distributed the remarks he had planned to deliver. “It is often said that our fallen ‘gave their tomorrows for our today,'” the prepared speech read. “Sergeant Rampersad had tomorrows waiting for her… But she gave every one of them up so that we could have ours.”
Interestingly, one of the people surprised by the omission was Republican New York City Councilman Frank Morano, who sat near the mayor during the service. “I was surprised the mayor didn’t speak,” Morano said. “I didn’t understand why they would have lower-level officials speak and not the mayor.”
Mamdani’s positions on Israel, Iran and national security have generated criticism from many Jewish organizations and conservative groups throughout New York, while supporters argue he has become a lightning rod because of his progressive politics. Previous controversies surrounding his decision to skip New York’s Israel Day Parade and ongoing disputes over Middle East policy have deepened those political divisions.
