A Veteran’s Witness of Faith for Veteran’s Day

November 11, 2024

One Sunday our congregation was thanking God for our veterans. The prayer was lifted up by a young man who was still in college, an elder in our church, and in the Air Force Officer Training Program at his university. I have watched this young man grow up, and I was moved by his prayer on behalf of those willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and his desire to be a part of that rich tradition. God has truly blessed our nation, and the military men and women who serve our country need every prayer we can lift up on behalf of their protection and protection over their marriages and families.

Monday, November 11, was Veteran’s Day and to celebrate, I want to share this inspiring story of faith about Dave Roever (REE-ver). He arrived in Vietnam in late 1968, serving our nation as a member of the elite Brown Water Black Berets. He was a Christian, and really loved the Lord.

During his tour, he patrolled the Mekong Delta until July 26, 1969 when he was severely wounded. As his boat rounded a corner of the river, a sniper bullet pierced his hand, and went right through the phosphorous grenade that he had raised within six inches of his head. The grenade exploded, and blew up the boat. Phosphorous is a metal that gets white-hot and can’t be extinguished by water. Dave was on fire, lying face down in the river, with part of his head blown off and his body severely damaged, as he was rescued from the burning water.

As they carried him to the helicopter the burning phosphorous caused him to burn right though the stretcher, and he landed right on his head as he fell to the ground. Later, on the way to the hospital, the doctors on the helicopter thought he had died. So they took his dog tag, and got ready to pound it between his teeth, indicating his death. Dave thought to himself, “This is going to hurt.” Suddenly Dave opened his eyes and it so scared the helicopter crew that they almost crashed.

Over fifty years later, Dave is still spreading the word about love and hope through faith in Jesus. When he first popped out of the water for a few moments in terrible agony, before falling face down again, Dave had shouted at the top of his lungs, “I still love you, Jesus!” He still shouts it today, through his actions, as well as his voice, as he shares God’s message of love through the Roever Evangelistic Association.

For most of us, all of our worst days combined wouldn’t add up to the suffering Dave has endured. Yet he finds the strength to continue his mission and purpose, not on his own, but through his faith in Christ. Dave would never have made it on his own, and he’s the first to admit it.

In II Corinthians 11:24-27 the apostle Paul recounts some of the things he endured to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones,three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.” He would tell the Philippians, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (1:21).

When I hear stories like Dave Roever’s story, I think of those great people of faith that sacrifice all to share the gospel of Jesus with the world. When was the time God used you to make the biggest impact on others? Do you ever hope or pray that God will use your life to change someone else’s life again? What would it be like if you lived your life so God could use you to help others believe often? I hope you will say a prayer right now that God will open doors for you to be used by Him in the lives of others.