The country is gradually coming around it its recognition of veterans who fought in Viet Nam.

That is the belief of Deacon Bruce Publicover, founding member and on the board of directors of the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers.

The ecumenical body of clergy was formed three years ago by LaSalette Father Philip Salois. It is made up of men who either served in Viet Nam as chaplains or received ordination after their Viet Name service. Deacon Publicover saw combat as an enlisted officer in the First Air Cavalry Division. He was ordained a permanent deacon for the archdiocese in 1987.

"I went to Viet Nam from Germany in 1966 weighing 210 pounds," Publicover recalls. "I left weighing 145 pounds with a 29-inch waist." Publicover says he swept memories of the war under the rug until he met Max Cleland a few years ago. The former head of the Veterans Administration was instrumental in reintroducing him to men from his Viet Nam unit and since then he has been involved in ministry to the veterans.

"The Gulf action marked a turning point in this country's understanding and appreciation of what the veterans of the Viet Nam war went through," Publicover said. He believes they are beginning now to receive recognition for their personal contributions in what Publicover considers a politically-motivated conflict.

Publicover's diaconal assignments are to Transfiguration parish, assisting with liturgical functions, and serving as Scout chaplain on the archdiocesan Catholic Committee for Scouting.

He also spends considerable time ministering to veterans both at the Veterans Administration Hospital and in one-on-one counseling situations. He says his own service in the army, experiences in the hospice program and education for the diaconate prepared him for the ministry. Physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists are recognizing the need for a spiritual component in helping veterans deal with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Publicover said.

The deacon plans to attend the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers' meeting again this year. The annual conferences have an educational thrust. This year's topic will be "PTSD, Healing and Spirituality, A Wholistic Approach to Well-Being." Keynote speaker at the conference will be Dr. David Law, MD, deputy associate chief medical director at the Veterans Health Administration in Washington. The November 18 to 22 conference will be at the Vallombrosa Retreat Center in Menlo Park, Calif.

Over 250,000 Viet Nam veterans live in Georgia, Publicover says. Those who minister to these men would benefit from the conference, he believes.

Persons interested in information about the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers should contact Father Philip Salois, 947 Park St., Attleboro, Mass. 02703. The telephone number is 508-222-7313.