Nancy Lane, Content Strategist
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU)
For Immediate Release
Thursday, November 16, 2023
When the attacks on Ukraine began in February of 2022, Ron Carter knew he had to do something to help. Originally from Arkansas but living in Colorado with his wife and children, Carter undertook an extraordinary journey in March 2022. With a background in trauma-medical response training and having served in the Army National Guard, Carter made the first of five trips to Ukraine. Sometimes lasting months, these trips have been a team effort and a sacrifice for many, including Carter’s family.
“My first experience going into Ukraine was simply to deliver individual first aid kits, on March 7th, 2022, just a few days after the launch of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine,” explains Carter in his interview with SAGU Social Work professor Dr. Lacey Godsby, “It was not something I was prepared for – I had just grabbed some individual first aid kits from friends… it’s snowballed five trips later.”
With his background in aviation, short-notice trips like this have been made possible for Carter. His passion for aviation has also given him a solid reputation in Part 121 aviation.
Carter has also been a significant player in the firearms community. As the former Chief Firearms Instructor at Redleg Tactical and Vice President of Save the Second, he’s taught countless students about everything from firearms safety to responsible ownership. Carter holds the title of Master-Carry Optics in the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) and serves as an IDPA Safety Officer. Carter is certified in Ukraine’s Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), and amidst other humanitarian efforts, he supports civilians as well as injured Ukrainian soldiers. Because of the high number of civilians that become victims of air strikes and shelling, Carter has focused on training these civilians in TCCC. His efforts have affected both expat and native individuals, and he has become a symbol of hope and solidarity to many.
In his interview with Dr. Godsby, Carter mentions working with various churches and nonprofits. He has made many connections in the area since beginning these trips a little over a year ago. He notes that so much aid comes from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and churches.
When asked about how his time at SAGU impacted what he was doing now, Carter responded with one word: “music.” As an instrumental performance major, he explains that so many of the musical pieces that were a part of his time at SAGU also helped him to feel at home in another country. “You can hear the same song and recognize it, but you won’t know the words,” he explains. Nonetheless, sentiment and shared faith are carried through the music, regardless of the culture or country.
Carter explains that with casualties of over half a million, the Russo-Ukrainian war has had the largest loss since World War Two. He mentions the dire need that is still present – needs revolving around food, shelter, clean water, and donations. “While it’s unintentionally easy to overlook this obvious fact amidst a backdrop of numerous atrocities elsewhere,” Carter says in his blog, “it’s crucial to acknowledge that the staggering extent of devastation in Ukraine has persisted for 592 days.” Carter praises the resilience of the Ukrainian people and mentions how self-sufficient they have become by growing their own gardens and finding access to clean drinking water.
Carter’s frequent trips to Ukraine underscore his deep empathy for the country and its people, particularly during a period marked by unrest and uncertainty. Whether through humanitarian aid, support for local communities, or his presence as a compassionate and knowledgeable volunteer, Carter’s contributions have undoubtedly left a positive mark on Ukraine and its residents.
If you’d like to follow Ron Carter’s incredible journey and support his efforts in Ukraine, you can connect with him on LinkTree.
About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927 and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
