NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Even Old Glory knew when it was time to stand at attention Monday as a hero visited Harbor Park one final time.

Matt Gallina, a 20-year veteran of the Virginia Beach Fire Department, was remembered Monday during a celebration of his life following a difficult battle with esophageal cancer.

Gallina, 48, died last Wednesday.

While a majority of people in attendance at Gillina’s funeral service were wearing at VBFD uniform and patch. Three of his pallbearers dawned New York Yankees jerseys.

Gaillina was a big baseball fan and the Yankees, were his team.

Therefore, it was only fitting that he’d have his final goodbye at Harbor Park.

Gallina served six years in the U.S. Navy before joining the VBFD.

He served at several stations before joining the fire marshal’s office as an investigator, in which Gallina was passionate about finding the truth, “

“Ensuring that every fire was understood and that lessons were learned to prevent future tragedies,” VBFD Chief Ken Pravetz, said. “The attention to detail followed by his deep understanding of fire dynamics made him very good at this role.”

But the role he loved most was being a father to Dominic, Mia and Lincoln, as well as being a husband to his wife of 22 years, Michelle.

“He was my strength, my best friend [and] he was my heart,” Michelle Gallina said. “I’m going to miss him every moment of each day.”

She said his sarcastic wit was something aligned with him, just as much as baseball.

And going forward, she wants to align herself with a mission to prevent stories like his.

“I promise to for fight for early cancer screenings to raise awareness and to save lives,” Michelle Gallina said. “Matt sacrifice will not be in vain. We have lost too many good people in the fire department to cancer. We shouldn’t lose any more.”

The city of Norfolk let the Virginia Beach Fire Department use the facility free of charge, with Mayor Kenny Alexander saying it’s just the right thing to for a man who gave his life to serving others.