Loss reveals bonds

When the Rev. Herbert Ward describes Army Sgt. Michael Shiver, he makes sure one phrase resonates: his is an American success story.

The two met in 1991 when Shiver was left in Ward's care at St. Jude's Ranch for Children in Boulder City. Shiver was a shy, abandoned teen and Ward, former director of the ranch, took him under his wing.

A military funeral was held for Shiver on Thursday at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. Shiver, a veteran of the war in Iraq, was killed in a car accident while on leave Aug. 22. The 28-year-old was en route to Florida from Georgia.

After Shiver graduated from the St. Jude's program, he worked his way through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and enlisted in the Army, where he moved to rank of sergeant and recently completed a 14-month tour of duty in Iraq, which ended in July. Through it all, the men kept in touch.

Ward said he never realized how strong their bond was until Shiver's death.

On all of his military records, Shiver had listed Ward as his father, a detail Ward didn't know until he was contacted as next of kin.

"It did and it didn't surprise me," Ward said. "In many ways, I was like a dad to him."

Shiver's parents gave up their rights when he was in his teens and he was taken to live at St. Jude's, Ward said.

Ward said he worked diligently with Shiver to convey that he had potential.

"When he could get to the point where he could joke, we felt he was healing," Ward said.

"You cannot force a child to choose the good, you offer that to them and encourage them," he said. "Mike learned that, some did not."

Shiver also listed a St. Jude's therapist as his mother on his records. She could not be reached for comment.

"The thing that always impressed me was his can-do attitude," Ward said. "He wanted to prove he could do it on his own."

Shiver's sister, Elizabeth Navarette of Las Vegas, said her older brother was protective and a joker who nicknamed her "Lizardbreath." They talked a week before he died. The topic was hurricane season near his home in Georgia and about how Shiver wanted to go back to Iraq soon.

"He really loved his country," she said.

Navarette said she wasn't surprised that her brother listed Ward as his next of kin.

"It made perfect sense," she said. "It just made me so happy ... he needed him in his life."

Contact reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@ reviewjournal.com or 702 383-0279.