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CBS News
5 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Memorial services for late former congressman Charles Rangel announced
Former Rep. Charles Rangel to lie in state at New York City Hall Former Rep. Charles Rangel to lie in state at New York City Hall Former Rep. Charles Rangel to lie in state at New York City Hall Memorial services have been announced for late former congressman Charles Rangel, who died on May 26 at age 94. Rangel will lie in repose at St. Aloysius Church on West 132nd Street in Harlem on June 9 and 10. Members of the public are invited to pay their respects between noon and 8 p.m. each day. He will then lie in state at New York City Hall on June 11 and 12. "We want to show just a high level of respect for a leader. Of my knowledge, there's only two congressmen I can recall from Harlem, and that was the great Congressman Adam Clayton Powell [Jr.] and the Congressman Charlie Rangel, and so we're looking forward to show him the respect that he's due," Mayor Eric Adams said. A funeral service for Rangel will be held at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown at 9:45 a.m. on June 13. The mass will be open to the public. Seating will be limited. Charles Rangel dies at 94 Rangel was a Harlem native who served in the House of Representatives for 46 years. He was a Korean War veteran, the dean of the New York Congressional Delegation, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first Black chair of the House's Ways and Means Committee. He was also one of the so-called "Gang of Four" coalition along with fellow Harlem natives Basil Paterson, Percy Sutton and former Mayor David Dinkins. In 2008, Rangel faced a series of ethic violations alleging he failed to abide by tax laws, and in 2010, Congress voted to censure him after he was convicted of 11 counts of violating House rules. He went on to be reelected to two more terms. State flags were flown at half-staff in his honor on Monday and Tuesday, and Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered flags to be lowered on the day of his funeral service. Rangel is survived by his son and daughter, as well as three grandsons.
Associated Press
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Former US Rep. Charles Rangel of New York has died at age 94
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Democratic US Rep. Charles Rangel of New York died Monday at age 94. The family confirmed the death in a statement provide dby City College of New York spokesperson Michelle Stent. He died at a hospital in New York, Stent said. Rangel was a veteran of the Korean War and spent nearly five decades on Capitol Hill. He was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Charlie Rangel, longtime Congressman from Harlem, dies at 94
Charles Rangel, the longtime U.S. congressman from New York City, has died. He was 94. Born in Harlem, Rangel was a member of the House of Representatives for 46 years. He was a Korean War veteran and a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He was also the first Black chair of the House's influential Ways and Means Committee. "Charlie was an inspiration and embodied the truest form of leadership in public service, steadied in his faith and faithfulness in the American people, and a giant unmatched in his leadership, compassion, and commitment to upholding the values of our nation. I will miss him dearly," Congressman Adriano Espaillat, who became NY-13's representative after Rangel retired in 2017, said in a statement posted to social media. Prior to his election to Congress in 1970, Rangel earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for leading a group of soldiers out of a deadly Chinese army encirclement during the Battle of Konu-ri. He was the last of the so-called "Lions of Harlem," with Basil Paterson, Percy Sutton, Herman Denny Farrell and former Mayor David Dinkins. The "Lions" were known as the first to break down race and class barriers, cutting paths for others to follow. This is breaking news. Please stay with CBS News New York for updates. Mark Prussin Mark Prussin is a digital producer at CBS New York. He covers breaking news, sports, politics and trending stories in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mark joined the CBS New York team in 2019. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bill OBoyle: Never forget our fallen heroes
May 25—WILKES-BARRE — On Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. They are all our most cherished heroes. My friend, Korean War veteran Joe Barna, 96, of Freeland, has two Purple Hearts and he knows and respects all veterans who have gone to battle. He especially holds dearest to his heart those who gave their lives for us. Mr. Barna said he made it back home and he sometimes wonders, "How?" "I look at my body and I still have two arms and two legs." he said. "I still have the same head, but it is full of memories." Mr. Barna says trying to describe war is not easy. "You have to live it, not read about it," he said. "You have to hear it, smell it, feel it. The scars come from bullets, shells, bayonets and the weather. There are other scars too — the scars you can't see. Scars in the minds of those who spent over a year in hell. They brought these demons home with them" Mr. Barna says combat is an ugly word and holds many memories for those who survive it. "For a while you tell yourself you're OK, but then something triggers a memory and you are brought back to those moments as if they are happening again," he said. Mr. Barna said Memorial Day is not a day to celebrate, but to remember and to continue to give honor to all the Americans who fought and died for a country they believed in. "Today should be about all our veterans and flags in our cemeteries," Mr. Barna said. "The flags show everyone where our heroes now sleep under a blanket of grass. In war, many young men, who are really just getting over being called a boy, will fight, and some will die. They will not get a chance to pick where he will fight nor will they get the chance to choose how they may die. God will take many of them too soon." Mr. Barna said he was 11 years old when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941. "I remember it was a Sunday morning and we heard on the radio that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor," he recalled. "I was at my uncle's bowling alley. I did not know what these words meant, but I was soon to learn the full meaning. Over the next several years, I would see my town's young men, only a few years older than I, come home in flag-draped coffins. This war would last until 1945. In Washington D.C., there was a World War II monument. At the monument there is a wall that holds 4,048 gold stars. Each star represents 100 American dead. That adds up to 404,800 American lives." Mr. Barna then talked about "his war" — Korea — "a war where our thousands fought over a million North Korean and Chinese soldiers." The Korean War lasted 3 years — more than 36,000 Americans died. "In Washington D.C., 19 larger-than-life, sculpted figures of soldiers, Marines and a Navy Corpsman endlessly patrol along side a dark, reflective marble wall. On the wall, are more images of the war. These haunting images are almost calling to the marching men. I can almost hear them." And the third war Mr. Barna spoke of was Vietnam. "Again young men were called to carry a weapon and to kill an enemy. Upon another long wall in Washington D.C., lies 58,000 names of service men and women who gave their lives. "When I visit a local cemetery, I stop and read many of the stones," Mr. Barna said. "On these is a birth date, a date of death and a name inscribed in between. Think about it — between the dates is the story of a life. "This is what Memorial Day is." So on this Memorial Day, try to think about what it must have felt like for all those soldiers who fought in all those battles in all those wars. Think of what it must have felt like to know that you may never return to your country, to your hometown, to your loved ones — to your "life." That you may never marry, have children, hold a job, buy a new car or have a beer with your pals at the local bar. Think about going to battle realizing that this day — this moment — might be your last day alive — that your next breath may be your last. That you may give your life for your country and all Americans back home. This is what these soldiers did — and they did it without question. And far too many gave the ultimate sacrifice They are who we remember on Memorial Day. We remember them for what they did for us and we thank them — we pray for them. Our fallen heroes. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Surprise party for veteran, 90, hosted by Evesham army cadets
A group of cadets in Worcestershire have surprised a 90-year-old veteran with a special birthday Evesham troop organised the celebration for Korean War veteran Ken Ricketts, who has been a dedicated and loyal participant in Remembrance parades, but ill health meant he has struggled recently to play as active a role as he would like son Andy contacted Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force (ACF) earlier this year to ask if they would help him mark the milestone birthday."The ACF always encourages cadets to engage with their local communities," said Evesham Troop's detachment commander, Mike Fryer. "When I saw Andy's letter about his father I knew the cadets would want to be involved."He added: "When Ken arrived he thought he was just getting a standard look round the detachment building and maybe a handshake or two."The look on his face when our plans were revealed was truly special." The cadets honoured Mr Rickett's military service with a presentation earlier this week, and delivered warm wishes from the Royal Anglian also celebrated his birthday, with a letter from King Charles III read out by one of the Ricketts, who was himself a cadet in the 1940s, was presented with a specially-engraved glass tankard by the local troop."The veteran community is a special family, and so too is the ACF, we will always do our best to bring the two together," said Gheluvelt battery commander Capt Jamie Edwards."My congratulations to Ken on his birthday milestone, and to the cadets and adult volunteers at Evesham for their hard work in preparing for this event." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
