Dave Roever
South Texas. The last thing on his mind was going to war. At the height of the Vietnam War, he 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, Dave 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, Dave 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, etc. Dave 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, Dave'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, Dave 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 Department of the Navy corrected its oversight by awarding Dave 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 in Iraq and other locations around the globe.
In May 2005, Dave was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his remarkable life and service.
Dave Roever is founder, chairman, and president of two non-profit corporations: Roever Evangelistic Association (REA) and Roever Educational Assistance Programs (REAP) based in Fort Worth, Texas. Dave and his wife, Brenda, are co-founders of Eagles Summit Ranch near Westcliffe, Colorado, where Dave, Brenda, and team train wounded warriors, others from the U.S. military, and talented young leaders in areas of specific focus such as public speaking, and marital and emotional recovery after devastating injury, helping them to fulfill their destinies. Development of the second Eagles Summit Ranch - Texas, has begun, near San Antonio, Texas.
FAMILY
Dave has a wife, Brenda, two children and four grand children.
MILITARY SERVICE
1968 - 1971 U.S. Navy, Special Warfare Division, with a tour of duty in Vietnam; injured in Vietnam in July 1969
MILITARY AWARDS
Purple Heart Medal
Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
(Gallantry Cross Medal Color with Palm)
Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
(Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color with Palm)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device
