The Army is trying to locate about 6,300 families to collect DNA samples for the purpose of identifying missing soldiers from World War II and the wars in Korea and Vietnam. The DNA samples are collected through an oral swab kit that is mailed to the family.

The military maintains a database of mitochondrial DNA samples from family members of missing-in-action soldiers in the Armed Forces DNA Identification Lab.

Mitochondrial DNA can be extracted from skeletal remains, said Linda Baublitz, chief of the Korean War section of the Past Conflict Repatriation Branch.

The mitochondrial DNA source is passed only through the maternal line, Baublitz said, so the Army has to take samples from the mother’s side.

Baublitz said the Army Past Conflict Repatriation Branch has launched an outreach program to try to locate more eligible donors from families of unaccounted-for soldiers from the Korean and Vietnam wars. Efforts to obtain family DNA samples for missing World War II soldiers are being handled on a case-by-case basis.

The Army has a record of missing soldiers’ next of kin from personnel files, but the elapsed time has made it difficult to track down current information on family members

Families with unaccounted-for soldiers, or anyone who knows of a family with an unaccounted-for soldier, should contact the Past Conflict Repatriation Branch at (800) 892-2490 or tapscper@conus.army.mil.

More education benefits

Some members of the National Guard and Reserve who serve active duty will see a significant increase in their educational benefits, thanks to improvements announced this month by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Under new provisions, members who accumulate three years of active duty, regardless of breaks in service, may be eligible for the maximum payment under the Reserve Education Assistance Program. Previously, reservists and guardsmen had to serve an unbroken two-year tour of duty to receive the highest payment.

The new eligibility rules are retroactive to Oct. 1, 2007. The top payment is $880.80 per month.

The new law, part of the National Defense Authorization Act, also expands the period of eligibility for certain Guard and Reserve members who complete their service obligation before separation from the selected reserve.

Members meeting these criteria may be eligible to use the education benefits for a period of 10 years following discharge. Benefits typically end upon separation for members who do not complete their full obligated service.

Beginning on Oct. 1, 2008, participants in REAP and the Montgomery GI Bill program for the Selected Reserve who pursue non-degree programs lasting less than two years may also be eligible to receive accelerated payments.

For more information on changes to the VA’s GI Bill benefits, go online to www.GIBILL.va.gov or contact VA directly at 1 (888) GIBILL1 (888-442-4551).

Army retirement seminar

Leroy Bussells, assistant director of retirement affairs for the Association of the United States Army, will present the latest information on retirement issues at a seminar on Saturday at the Quonset O Club, in North Kingstown. He will review recent legislation passed by Congress that affects survivor benefit plans and other changes that may affect retirement planning.

The event, sponsored by the Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, is free and open to retirees and those planning to retire. It will begin with a continental breakfast at 8 a.m. Reservations must be made by Wednesday by calling Anthony Ferri at (401) 861-2997 or send e-mail to afnf458673755@aol.com.

Oldest biker to be feted

The Rhode Island chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will induct a unique individual into its organization in an 11 a.m. ceremony on Sunday at the Mounted Commands Armory, 1051 North Main St., Providence.

Frank Pine, of Newport, a Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean War, started riding motorcycles in the 1930s and has been recognized nationally as the oldest licensed and registered motorcyclist in the country. Voted Veteran of the Year at his local American Legion Post, he served during the invasion of Okinawa as an LST crewmember and on a minesweeper during the Korean War. Frank is 94 and still an avid rider.

Those wishing to attend should call Andrew Martel, chapter commander, at (401) 323-8649 or send e-mail to sfcajm@yahoo.com as soon as possible. The half-hour ceremony with remarks will be followed by the group’s first ride of the year, weather permitting.

WWII documentary

World War II: The Untold Story, America’s Legacy of Betrayal, a new documentary by Rhode Island producer Rick Adams, will air Sunday at 2 p.m. Rhode Island public access Channel A — Channel 13 on Cox and Channel 32 on Verizon.

Adams calls his 75-minute work the first documentary to focus on what he calls the consequences in Europe and Asia of American interventionist foreign policies. Relying on declassified records, he asserts that Franklin Roosevelt’s administration knew well in advance when the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor.

For more information call Rick Adams at (401) 353-0156.

•American Legion

Balfour-Cole Post 64, at 170 Pleasant View Ave. in Smithfield, will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

•Italian-American Veterans

The department will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in conference room 1 of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence.

•VFW and Auxiliary

Gatchell Post 306 will host an Italian fundraiser dinner on Thursday at the post home, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket, from 4 to 7 p.m., with $7 tickets sold at the door. Also, Gatchell Post and Auxiliary will celebrate their 88th and 87th anniversaries on Sunday with a social hour at 1 p.m. followed by dinner; for $17 tickets call Penny at (401) 723-4365 or Roland at (401) 431-0024.

A testimonial honoring state commander Mike Corriveau and department president Emily Berndt will be held at noon Saturday at Kelley-Gazzerro Post 2812, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston; tickets are $25. Franchi Auxiliary Unit 2396, at 170 Randall St. in Cranston, will hold a dinner-dance Saturday evening in the post home to benefit the cancer fund; for $25 tickets call Jean at (401) 946-3856.

•Disabled American Veterans

The Department executive committee will meet Thursday at 7 p.m., in classroom 3 on the fifth floor of the VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave., Providence.

•43rd Infantry

The Rhode Island Winged Victory Division will meet Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Arsenal, 176 Benefit St., Providence.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.