Dave Roever's story is one of profound transformation. From a young, confident soldier in Vietnam to a scarred and wounded veteran, his journey took him through unimaginable pain and ultimately led him to a life of purpose, ministering to other veterans struggling with the wounds of war.
A Young Man's Calling
Growing up as the son of a minister in Mission, Texas, Roever was devoted to Christianity. He enrolled in a Bible college, but when his grades faltered and he received his draft notice, he felt obligated to serve his country. Hoping for a safer assignment, he chose the Navy, only to find himself in Naval Special Warfare training. He became part of the Brown Water Black Berets, an elite riverboat flotilla patrolling the rivers of Southeast Asia.
The Day Everything Changed
On July 26, 1969, while on patrol on the Vam Co Tay River, Roever prepared to throw a white phosphorus grenade to clear brush and detonate potential booby traps. As he drew back his arm, a sniper's bullet struck the grenade, detonating it in his hand. The explosion incinerated his ear, hair, and parts of his scalp. His face was ravaged, his right eye destroyed, his right hand split open, and a hole was torn in his chest, exposing his heart.
Roever vividly recalls the horror of that moment, the feeling of his face melting, and the realization that he had lost his identity. He would never be seen as the same Dave Roever again.
A Fight for Survival
Despite the severity of his wounds, Roever never lost consciousness. He remembers the intense heat consuming him and the agonizing realization that he was burning to death. Even submerged in water, the white phosphorus continued to burn. Miraculously, the phosphorus cauterized an artery, preventing him from bleeding to death.
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After being evacuated by a Dust Off helicopter, Roever was taken to a field hospital. He later learned that during surgery weeks after the incident, the phosphorus exploded again, causing a fire in the room.
The Darkest Hour
Roever's journey took him to a hospital in Japan. There, confronted with his reflection, he couldn't believe his young bride could still love him. He attempted to take his own life by pulling out his intravenous tubes, but hunger drove him back to life.
He was then transferred to Brook Army Medical Center in the United States. There, he witnessed the devastating impact of war on relationships when a wife discarded her wedding ring, unable to accept her husband's disfigurement. Roever feared Brenda would do the same.
Unconditional Love and a Renewed Purpose
When Brenda arrived, she defied his fears. Instead of recoiling, she reminded him of their commitment to forever. She kissed what was left of his face and welcomed him home. Her unwavering love was a turning point, giving him the strength to face his new reality.
Years later, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Roever felt a renewed sense of purpose. He realized his experience could help a new generation of wounded veterans. "God took the experience of my life and gave me a purpose," he says. "Never let a good scar go to waste.”
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The Dave Roever Foundation: Healing Through Shared Experience
Founded in 1991, the Dave Roever Foundation operates Eagles Summit Ranches in Texas and Colorado. These ranches host Operation Warrior RECONnect programs, designed to help veterans confront and move past their physical and mental trauma. Most participants struggle with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress (PTS). Roever's approach emphasizes faith, public speaking, and shared experience.
Kathy Wampler, Roever’s top aide, explains their approach to PTSD: “We drop the ‘D,’ We tell them, ‘You are not disordered.’ Their reaction is natural to what they’ve been through.”
The program fosters a sense of camaraderie and hope. Veterans participate in activities like fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and even shooting, under strict supervision. The environment is designed to minimize self-pity and maximize hope, as veterans realize they are not alone in their struggles.
Matt Roever, Dave's son and an ordained minister, assists his father in this mission. He emphasizes the unique connection between veterans: "Nobody speaks to a vet like a vet."
A Blunt but Compassionate Approach
The program's approach is often blunt, even harsh, but always with compassion. Roever uses his own experiences to connect with the veterans, showing them that it is possible to move forward despite their scars.
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Robert "B.J." Jackson, a veteran who lost both legs below the knee in Iraq, exemplifies this approach. He attended the first class at the Colorado ranch in 2007 and credits Roever with helping him confront his trauma. Jackson recalls Roever's directness: "He was the first person who told it like it needed to be told."
Finding Reward After Sacrifice
Roever recognizes that unlike World War II veterans, those returning from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan often lack a clear sense of purpose or resolution. He sees it as his mission to help them find a reward, or at least a footing where they can find one.
While Roever is guarded about quantifying success, he shares stories of veterans who have turned their lives around through the program. He recounts the story of a female combat medic who attempted suicide but returned for another tour of duty after participating in Operation Warrior RECONnect.
He also acknowledges the challenges, sharing the story of a veteran he has been trying to reach for years, a man haunted by the ghosts of war. Roever refuses to give up on him, stating, "As long as he's got a breath and I've got a breath, I won't give up. I'll keep telling him the truth."
A Message of Hope and Healing
Dave Roever's life is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of finding purpose in the face of adversity. His work with the Dave Roever Foundation offers hope and healing to wounded veterans, reminding them that their scars, both visible and invisible, do not define them. Through shared experience, unwavering faith, and a commitment to truth, Roever helps these warriors embrace their past and build a future filled with meaning and purpose.