Purple Heart recipient speaks at Peterson AFB prayer luncheon

National Prayer Luncheon

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Col. Todd Moore, 21st Space Wing commander, presents the 21 SW coin to keynote speaker of the National Prayer Luncheon, Dave Roever, at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., May 3, 2018. Roever is a Vietnam veteran and a Purple Heart recipient who travels around the world to speak at national conventions, public schools and military bases to share his life story serving in the Navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Audrey Jensen)

National Prayer Luncheon

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Dave Roever is a Vietnam veteran and a Purple Heart recipient who travels around the world to speak at national conventions, public schools and military bases to share his life story serving in the Navy. He was the keynote speaker at the Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., National Prayer Luncheon, May 3, 2018. (U.S. Air Force photo by Audrey Jensen)

National Prayer Luncheon

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Dave Roever was the keynote speaker at the Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., National Prayer Luncheon, May 3, 2018. Roever, a Vietnam veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, travels around the world to speak at national conventions, public schools and military bases to share his life story serving in the Navy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Audrey Jensen)

Published May 10, 2018
By Audrey Jensen
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, celebrated its own National Prayer Day with a luncheon, hosted by Col. Todd Moore, 21st Space Wing Commander, and a special guest speaker.

The National Prayer Luncheon, paid for by the 2018 Air Force Spouse of the Year, Kristen Christy, featured Dave Roever, a Navy, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient as its guest speaker at the Peterson AFB Club, May 3, 2018.

After the U.S. and Canadian anthem was performed by Senior Airman Jamie Teachenor, a scripture reading and prayer petitions were recited as well. Once everyone finished their lunch, Roever took to the stage.

“I consider it the highest honor to serve my God and my country,” said Roever. “I put the two together because in this great country we still have faith in God. There are many diverse understandings of who God is. I can tell you it takes as much faith to be an atheist as it does to be an evangelist. The fact is, you believe in something — we call that our core values. Whatever that core value is, don’t be afraid to lean on it.”

Roever, who travels the world sharing his life story at national conventions, military bases and public schools, moved the audience of civilians, veterans and servicemembers to tears and laughter with his stories of serving in the Navy, being married to his wife, Brenda, and getting to where he is today.

A wounded warrior, Roever is also the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, among many others.
Before closing words, Col. Moore presented Roever with a 21st Space Wing coin.