The G.I. Bill, which paid the tuition of veterans enrolled in college, turned the financial tide for DePaul.

As I, a veteran, recently learned, veterans enrolled in the V.A. health care program in some instances can get free pharmaceuticals, and other enrolled veterans will be charged $2 for each 30-day-or-less supply.

With Medicare H.M.O.'s pulling out of many markets or, like some employer-sponsored health plans, at least scaling back their coverage of drug costs, the number of veterans enrolled in the department's sprawling network of clinics, hospitals and pharmacies has doubled since the mid-1990's, to six million.

Most veterans enrolled in recent years have been in Category 7, drawn by low-cost drugs.

Not affected by the expiration date are veterans enrolled in the V.A.'s other education programs - the Veterans' Educational Assistance Program and the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which covers those who served after June 30, 1985, including members of the Reserve and National Guard.

The marketing decision has angered veterans' groups and some members of Congress, who say the department has an obligation to reach out to veterans not enrolled in the system.

During the Spring of 46 BC two legions in Hispania Ulterior, largely formed by former Pompeian veterans enrolled in Caesar's army, had declared themselves for Gnaeus Pompeius (son of Pompey the Great) and driven out Caesar's proconsul.

However, at least the XXXVI legion consisted of old Pompeian veterans, enrolled in Caesar's army after the Battle of Pharsalus.