NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. -- People holding American flags lined the streets of North Attleboro, honoring Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen who was laid to rest Friday.

Van De Giesen's pregnant widow emerged from St. Mary's Church moments after his funeral. The grief on Megan Van De Giesen's face was apparent. It's been 11 days since her husband was killed in a mid-air helicopter collision in Afghanistan.

Amid of a sea of red, white, and blue, came those whom he loved: his family, his comrades and even strangers. One of the most moving moments of the service was a letter written by Kyle's father, and read by a friend.

"I can hear your words as if you were standing beside me.'Dad? Yes Kyle?' 'It's time to man-up.' God has dealt us all a nasty and horrific blow my son. He has tilted our compass, he has altered our staff. He has changed our very being. But yet our course still steers straight," Capt. Michael Rozzetti said.

The fact that he became a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps defied the odds and was a testament to Kyle's determination. A fellow Marine offered a eulogy, including a humorous story about Kyle's days in flight school.

"This is not a joke. He would keep a puke bag in every pocket of his flight suit just because he knew it was coming," Capt. Eric Flemming said.

After the ceremony, Sen. John Kerry consoled Kyle's Father.

The funeral procession weaved its way through North Attleboro, past some of Kyle's favorite locations. Van De Giesen was buried in Bourne.