50+ Years of Resiliency and Hope
Dave Roever grew up in a minister’s family in South Texas. At the height of the Vietnam War, Dave received his draft notice. Rather than serving in the infantry, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a riverboat 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 superb communicator and speaks in a variety of settings including churches, public schools; business, men’s and youth conventions; and military installations around the world. Roever has also been 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 truth and 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 together a message of courage, commitment, and survival that touches and transforms those who hear him.
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 wartime 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, having done multiple tours in the Middle East.
In May 2005, Dave was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his remarkable life and service. In April 2012, he was awarded The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal by the U.S. Department of the Army. In 2019, Dave celebrated 50 years of full-time ministry.
Roever is the founder and president of three non-profit corporations: Roever Evangelistic Association, Roever Foundation, and REAP International, based in Fort Worth, Texas. Dave is the founder of Eagles Summit Ranch in Colorado, as well as Eagles Summit Ranch in Texas, where they help physically and emotionally injured servicemen and women “find their way home.”
HOPE AND TRAINING FOR:
Public Schools
In full-school assemblies, primarily high schools, Dave Roever holds students in the palm of his hand, inspiring and speaking into their lives regarding their challenges.
After hearing “Mr. Roever”, students line up to talk with someone who makes them laugh, cares deeply, tells them the truth, and sparks hope for overcoming depression and thoughts of suicide.
The Military
Dave Roever works with active-duty military and veterans in two significant ways.
He goes. He takes resiliency training to active-duty U.S. service members across the globe. Troops immediately connect. Never-to-be forgotten words of hope and inspiration are embedded in their minds and hearts.
They come. Through this organization’s unique Operation Warrior RECONnect, Dave Roever and his team provide hope and training to physically and/or emotionally wounded service members, spouses, couples, and families throughout the year at its Eagles Summit Ranch.