Des Moines residents Daniel Castillo and Justin Moser were honored recently by the American Red Cross Serving King & Kitsap Counties as three of its 2008 "Everyday Heroes."

Castillo, Moser and 16 other "Everyday People, Everyday Heroes" were honored at the 12th annual awards breakfast sponsored by The Boeing Company. Puget Sound Energy sponsors the Family Rescue awards.

Daniel Castillo, 15, was playing video games at the home of his Uncle Rick, who was taking a shower, when Daniel's 7-year-old cousin Ricky set his shirt on fire while playing with a lighter he found in a drawer.

When Ricky realized he couldn't put the fire out, he ran screaming to his cousin.

Daniel ripped the shirt off Ricky, burning his own hands in the process. Ricky was badly burned on his chest and stomach.

Daniel then cooled Ricky's burns under running water before Ricky was rushed to Harborview Medical Center, where he stayed for a week.

While at the hospital, Ricky continued to repeat that Daniel was his hero for saving his life. Ricky is recovering better than expected.

"It was really brave of Daniel," said Rick Castillo, Ricky's dad. "I thank him every time I see him."

When Justin Moser was 11, he met Brent Rice, a lifeguard at the Mt. Rainier pool. Brent took Justin under his wing, helping him train for Justin's first youth triathlon.

Despite having two jobs, Brent made sure he had the time to train with Justin twice a day. With Brent's assistance and only two weeks of training, Justin placed 11th out of 50 kids.

Ben wrote in a note: "No matter what happens you're a winner in my book. This is the most I have ever won and I want you to have it." Brent gave Justin his Junior Championship medal and the note the day before his race.

Despite having an almost 10-year age gap between them, the two friends remained close through the years.

On May 28, 2004, Brent passed away in a car accident. To overcome his grief, Justin wanted a way to honor Brent, not only for the person he was, but also for his love of swimming.

Two years ago, at the age of 16, Justin started the Brent Rice Memorial Swim of the Sound, a 2.3-mile open water swim from Des Moines to Vashon Island that raises money for swim scholarships. It was his way of honoring Brent through swimming.

"This is no small undertaking for an adult, let alone a 16-year-old kid!" wrote Schell Ross, his friend and former swim coach.

"But you have to know Justin to realize that if anyone could do it he would be the one. The fact that he wanted to make this a scholarship swim was just 'classic Justin.' He always thinks of others around him and how he can better other lives."