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Local volunteer remains 'safe' as Russia begins attacking humanitarian aid facilities

UKRAINE - For the past three week, Williamson County native David Brymer has been volunteering in Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense, training combat medics and helping set up battalion aid stations across the country.

During that time, Brymer said he was has watched as the Russian military violates the rules of war.

"Now they are targeting humanitarian aid facilities," he said. "They killed 48 and wounded 157 in the Foreign Legion last night (Saturday). Hundreds of aid workers are disappearing."

On this side of the world, Brymer's fiancé, Chelsea Crider, and his fellow members of the Benton American Legion Post #280, are working to get needed supplies to the area where Brymer is working.

"We're putting out the word," said Crider, who said she will gladly pick up supplies and get to the Benton Post. In fact, she also set it up with the Marion VFW Post #1301 to accept donations that she will make sure are routed to Benton for shipping.

Mike Cross, commander of the Benton Post is a former combat medic, and helped to put together a list of supplies he said were essential for field medics.

Monetary donations are also welcome and can be used for shipping costs or to purchase supplies.

Brymer said last week that he had trained around 40 civilians to at as medics in only two days.

He said that while the attacks have intensified, he is still intent on continuing the work he traveled to Ukraine to do.

"I'm safe," he said. "God is with me."