A week before Christmas, Staff Sgt. Matt Whalen passed away. The abruptness of his death was painful, but his family and community are able to take solace in the fact that Whalen’s death will help two other military veterans live.

“Parts of Matt’s soul are going to be everywhere. You know? And that makes me happy that he is still serving even after he died,” his wife and fellow Army veteran Hannah Gradisar said.

Whalen suffered a devastating stroke that left him permanently brain dead. Heartbroken, his family made the decision to take him off life support and donate his organs to people who need them. After they set this plan in motion, they learned that the two patients receiving Whalen’s organs were also military veterans.

Whalen’s final moments were captured in a viral video that has been viewed 10 million times on Facebook. In the video, his former military comrades line the walls and thank Whalen for his service in both life and death as he is wheeled to the surgery. Standing at attentino, one veteran places an American flag upon Whalen’s chest. It was an incredibly emotional and moving send off fitting for a hero.

“In his final act on this Earth, it’s only fitting that he gave his life and in return saved two others,” wrote Sean Hatton, the family friend who originally posted the video.

Whalen was deployed four times with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.