– The Miracle Story of Dave Roever

At the height of the Vietnam War, Dave Roever received his draft notice. Having no desire to serve in the infantry, he joined the Navy and served as a river boat gunner in the elite Brown Water Black Beret in Vietnam.

Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Roever was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent numerous major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous.

Today, with his humorous style, Roever is enthusiastically received both nationally and internationally as a public speaker. He is a gifted communicator and speaks in a variety of settings including public schools; military installations; business, men’s and youth conventions; and churches. Roever is a frequent guest on national television talk shows. He established compassionate, ongoing missions work in Vietnam and is involved in other nations.

In every setting, Roever’s message is one of hope. Using his life as an example, he addresses issues relevant to his audience and presents concrete solutions to life’s problems. Often drawing upon his war experiences of loneliness, peer pressure, disfigurement and pain, as well as life’s triumphs, Roever weaves a message of courage, commitment and survival that touches and transforms those who hear him. The foundation of his hope is his faith, supported by the wholesome relationships with his parents, wife, children and grandchildren.

Thirty-four years after his injuries, the U. S. Department of the Navy corrected its oversight by awarding Roever his Purple Heart, along with several other service medals. Because of his war-time experience of service, injury and recovery, he is uniquely qualified to speak to the needs of military personnel. He is called upon regularly to address troops on domestic military bases as well as those deployed around the globe. Roever is no stranger to the war on terror. He has done 6 tours in the Middle East, supporting troops in Afghanistan, Iraq (5 tours), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Roever is founder, chairman, and president of two non-profit corporations: Roever Evangelistic Association and Roever Foundation based in Fort Worth, Texas. Roever and his wife Brenda are co-founders of Eagles Summit Ranch in Colorado, as well as Eagles Summit Ranch in Texas. At these facilities and others, Roever and team help to restore hope and train wounded warriors, others from the U.S. military, and promising young leaders in areas of specific focus such as public speaking, and emotional recovery after devastating injury, helping them to fulfill their destinies, through Operation Warrior RECONnect.