TACOMA, Wash. — A Puget Sound non-profit is sending medical supplies and other critical equipment to help soldiers, American volunteers and medics in the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine Defense Support was created in 2022 by Cofounder Carl Larson, a U.S. Army veteran.
Larson helped create the organization after he had volunteered as a soldier in the war for more than four months.
“I went over there for America, really not for Ukraine. That’s why I’m still very involved to defend freedom for America and Western civilization,” he shared.
Larson said his organization has shipped more than six containers filled with medical supplies, clothes, blankets, and non-lethal equipment to Ukraine in the last two years after collecting donations from local hospitals and organizations.
However, the most recent shipment from the Port of Tacoma, a cargo container loaded with a Humvee, a Ford SUV, and a massive diesel generator, was shipped last Sunday after an American medic pleaded for help.
“She said they had lost several guys despite her best efforts as a medic. She told me this casualty evacuation vehicle is desperately needed to save their lives,” said Larson. “It infuriates me because they are lacking in the basic necessities to keep those soldiers alive to defend their and our freedom.”
Larson said many soldiers are dying from drones dropping bombs.
“This the first war in history where the number one casualty is drones as opposed to artillery,” he shared.
Larson’s brother-in-arms, who was killed in the war, motivated him to start the non-profit to help volunteers in Ukraine.
“He probably would’ve been saved if we had a casualty evacuation vehicle like this Humvee,” he shared.
Larson said Sunday’s cargo container is expected to arrive at a port near Odesa, Ukraine in less than three months.
The items will be sent to the Second Battalion International Legion.
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