Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the nation’s largest nonpartisan organization for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, recently purchased full-page ads in newspapers across the country urging key congressional senators and representatives to support a modern GI Bill for America’s newest generation of veterans.

The ads urge lawmakers to support the 21st Century GI Bill, introduced in Congress by some of the Senate’s own combat veterans, including Jim Webb, D-Va., John Warner, R-Va., Chuck Hagel R-Neb., and Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J. More than 230 lawmakers have signed on to this bipartisan legislation thus far, including Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, according to the current tally on the veterans organization’s Web site.

“The original GI Bill made education affordable for 8 million World War II veterans, but today’s troops receive just a fraction of that benefit,” said Paul Rieckhoff, executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “Sending our veterans to college expresses the nation’s gratitude for their service and makes economic sense.”

After World War II, the GI Bill covered tuition, fees, books, and a living stipend for millions of veterans. Attending college gave veterans time to readjust to civilian life and prepared them for careers as productive members and leaders of society. For every dollar spent on the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it is estimated that seven went back into the economy in the form of increased productivity, consumer spending, and tax revenue.

Many service members enlist today to earn money for college, but the current Montgomery GI Bill covers less than 70 percent of the cost of an education at a public school and less than half that charged by a private college. The 21st Century GI Bill would make veterans eligible to receive up to the full tuition for the most expensive public school in their state. In most states, this is a significant increase from the federal $9,900 per year that is currently available.

Tuition costs have increased faster than inflation, and many veterans must take out student loans or forgo education altogether. Although 95 percent of veterans have paid the nonrefundable $1,200 to participate in the Montgomery GI Bill, for a total of $230 million, 30 percent never use these benefits and have received nothing in return. For more information on the GI Bill, visit www.GIBill2008.org.

VA life insurance premiums to drop

Veterans covered by Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) and service members covered by Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) will see a reduction in their premiums on July 1.

SGLI rates will drop to 6.5 cents per month for $1,000 of coverage, down from 7 cents. The 7 percent drop means that service members will pay $26 per month for the maximum $400,000 of coverage, down from $28. VGLI rates for veterans ages 30 to 64 will see their premiums drop as well on July 1.

The Department of Veterans Affairs, which manages both programs, attributed the reduction to improvements in investment earnings and a reduction in noncombat claims. To view a table with the new VGLI rates, visit the VA insurance Web site at www.insurance.va.gov, or call the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance at (800) 419-1473.

The premium reductions should result in increased program participation and retention. With increased enrollment, the department may be able to further reduce rates in the future. More than 2.4-million enrollees participate in the VA-managed SGLI program, and 433,000 in VGLI.

Study links allergy risks to military service in Iraq

A new study suggests that military personnel who serve in Iraq may be at increased risk of developing allergies.

A review of the medical records of more than 6,000 service members shows that those who were deployed to the Persian Gulf were about twice as likely to have newly diagnosed allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) after discharge, compared with those who were stationed stateside. The findings held true for both men and women.

The findings were presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunotherapy.

According to the Department of Defense, 13 percent of U.S. Army medic visits in Iraq are for new allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ills.

•VFW

Gatchell Post 306 and Auxiliary units meet at 7 this evening in the post home, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket. Bingos will be held at the VA Hospital on Chalkstone Avenue in Providence at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow by Euart Auxiliary 602, and on Wednesday by Gatchell Auxiliary 306. Gatchell Post 306 and Auxiliary units will host an Italian dinner fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the post home; tickets are $7 at the door. State president Emily Berndt and state commander Michael Corriveau will lead their respective officer delegations to the Eastern States conference in East Portland, Maine, from Friday through Sunday. Gilbert Auxiliary 4487 will host a country and western dinner-dance at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the post home, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown; tickets are $10 and can be ordered by calling (401) 846-4221 or (401) 683-2692. Kelley-Gazzerro Auxiliary 2812 will hold a chopstick auction on Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m., at the post home, 1418 Plainfield St., Cranston.

•Italian-American War Veterans

The Department’s monthly meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in conference room 1 of the VA Medical Center, 830 Chalkstone Ave.

•Purple Heart

Oliver Hazard Perry Chapter 1812 will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Rhode Island Veterans Home, 480 Metacom Ave., Bristol.

•43d Infantry

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

•Fleet Reserve Association

Blackstone Valley Branch 132 will install officers Saturday at 6 p.m. in VFW Post 306, 171 Fountain St., Pawtucket.

•Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association

The Rhode Island chapter will host its annual spaghetti-and-meatball dinner fundraiser on Sunday, from 4 to 8 p.m., in the Bristol Train of Artillery hall, 135 State St., Bristol. Tickets — $9 for adults, $5 for children — can be ordered by calling (401) 323-8649 or (401) 241-9526.

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