WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- Williamson County native David Brymer is not yet 30, but his presence in Ukraine as part of Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy's International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine marks the third "army" in which he has served.
"He said he couldn't just sit by and do nothing," said Brymer's fiancé, Chelsea Crider, who gained that title when we she dropped Brymer at Lambert Field in St. Louis on Tuesday.
Crider said Brymer is a solder at heart, collecting memorabilia and knowledge since childhood.
"He was traveling with his dad when he was young and there was a 70th fighter squadron reunion at a hotel," said Crider. "He was so interested and knew so much he impressed the guys there and they offered to make him an honorary member."
Brymer's mother, Margaret Ardery said she is not surprised her son decided to step up.
"I think he's heroic," she said on Thursday afternoon from her Florida home. "He said this is history in the making and he wants to be a part of it."
Ardery said she is proud of her son's commitment to protect freedom.
"He's over there to help in any way he can."
After graduating high school in 2012, Brymer served four year in the U.S. Army as a medic. Crider said a cancer diagnosis prevented him from re-enlisting.
But being a solder was still in his blood.
Brymer, who is Jewish, moved to Israel and obtained citizenship, allowing him to served in the Israeli Defense Force.
After his enlistment ended, he served as contract personnel.
He has been living back in the U.S. for the past couple of years.
"When he saw what was happening, he felt he needed to be there," said Crider, who is fully supporting Brymer's decision. "One of his Rabbis is buried in Ukraine. 'I can at least help defend his resting place,' he said."
Crider said Brymer made his final decision to go on Saturday, calling on his Israeli connections to make the arrangements.
Brymer arrived in Ukraine on Wednesday afternoon, crossing into the country from Poland, where he met up with a group of soldiers like himself.
He was able to briefly call Crider with an update but said that power sources are scarce and he was unsure when he would be able to contact her again.
Crider said Brymer told her he is part of a 6-main medical search and rescue team currently searching for 15 children missing following a Russian attack on civilians.
By Thursday afternoon when the Marion Republican was able to speak to Brymer, he had a new assignment.
"I'll be training combat medics for the front lines," said Brymer, speaking quietly via a poor cellphone connection.
Sounding very tired, Brymer said it was the middle of the night and he and his group was finally able to get a few hours of sleep, the first he had been able to get since arriving in Poland early Wednesday.
Brymer said he would continue to update on his service there.
Crider said she will continue moving into the new home the couple just purchased in rural Williamson County, working, and taking care of her two children, Lucas, 5, and Ginny, 4.
"I'll just pray that God will keep him safe and protected and that he will bring my cowboy home safe and sound," she said.
The Marion Republican will continue to follow Brymer's service in Ukraine as updates are available.
