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Family and firefighters honor Captain Don Aarons; ceremony names life-saving award in his memory
Summary
Family members and colleagues at a Sandy memorial recounted Captain Don Aarons' life and a fatal rescue attempt in Maui, described a large funeral procession and water salute, and said the department is calling a new award the Don Aarons Life Saving Award; the transcript does not record a formal city action adopting the name.
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…
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