At a Sandy memorial ceremony, family members and firefighters paid tribute to Captain Don Aarons, recounting his years of service, a fatal rescue attempt in Maui and a namesake award that speakers said will carry his memory forward.

"To me, my dad was quiet but powerful," said Family member (Speaker 1), opening the remembrances by describing Aarons as patient, strong and hospitable. Family members repeatedly said he treated the fire crew as extended family, hosting meals and holidays and teaching by example.

Another family member (Speaker 2) said Aarons always wanted to be a firefighter and that "the firemen were always part of our life." Speaker 4, who identified Aarons as his captain at Station 32, called him "a man of his word" who "trained incredibly hard and expected a lot out of the crew."

Several speakers gave a first-person account of the incident in Maui that led to Aarons' death. Family member (Speaker 3) said the group had turned onto a peninsula when people called for help after someone fell into the water. She recalled helpers pulling people onto a small platform while Aarons began CPR and urged moving the victim to higher ground. A later large wave swept several people into the sea; Speaker 3 recalled thinking, "we're gonna die," and described clinging to a rock as bodies floated by. "Because I held on to Don, they were able to retrieve his body," she said.

Speakers said helicopters and other rescuers recovered some bodies but that two were never recovered. The transcript records a detail that a "12 foot" wave washed victims out to sea and that Aarons was assisting a photographer when he was swept away.

Family members described immediate support from the fire service. "At 6AM, the fire department, they were on our doorsteps with 2 tickets to Hawaii for my sister and I to go get my mom so she wouldn't have to fly home alone," Family member (Speaker 1) said. "From that moment, the fire department was there for our family."

An official-sounding account given by Speaker 5 described a formal tribute: "Several fire trucks from both Sandy and Salt Lake City Fire Departments escorted the plane with the body of Captain Don Aarons," followed by what the speaker called a water salute. The transcript contains multiple descriptions of a massive funeral procession and regional turnout: "Many, many, many fire trucks came from everywhere around our state and Wyoming and Nevada," Family member (Speaker 3) said.

Speakers framed Aarons' death as a sacrifice consistent with his life of service. "He died doing it, gave the ultimate sacrifice, trying to save a stranger," Speaker 9 said.

Multiple speakers said the department and community intend to honor Aarons with a namesake prize. Family member (Speaker 3) said, "they're calling it the Don Aaron's Life Saving Award," and described the award as a way to carry on his example. The transcript includes this naming as a family- and department-level statement but does not record a formal city or department resolution, vote or other official action adopting the award name.

The ceremony closed with family members and colleagues expressing pride that Aarons' example will continue to influence others. "I just feel so proud that they are gonna remember him this way and that they're calling it the Don Aaron's Life Saving Award," Family member (Speaker 3) said.

The transcript does not record any formal government action, ordinance or vote related to the award's creation or adoption.