Supporting the men and women volunteers who are risking their lives in the war in Iraq means a lot more than hanging out a flag or pasting a bumper sticker on the car. They like such expressions of support, but they also need something more tangible.

Maine Sen. Susan Collins led the way last week with one step to help them face personal sacrifice. The Senate unanimously approved her legislation to double the emergency payment the government makes to the family of a service man or woman who is killed on active duty. The payment, retroactive to September 2001, will increase from $6,000 to $12,000. It covers any service member who is killed on duty in Afghanistan, Iraq or elsewhere in the war on terror.

This modest death gratuity is intended to help the service member’s family with immediate financial needs. It is paid in addition to the service

member’s private benefits including group life insurance, Veterans Affairs dependents’ indemnity compensation and survivors’ benefits.

Another benefit that should be improved to serve service members is the Defense Department’s health care program, called Tricare. True, it is free for service members on active duty and their families, but there are drawbacks. Its services are provided only at military base clinics and by a limited number of civilian physicians. If a patient goes anywhere else, he or she must pay half the cost plus a deductible. For a referral to a specialist, a primary-care physician must get approval from a Tricare “health care finder.” And the program doesn’t cover eyeglasses and family dental care.

The Washington publication CongressDaily reports that more than 25 bills have been introduced to improve health care benefits, provide tax and tuition breaks, and make up lost pay for reservists who leave their regular jobs to go on active duty. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., narrowly lost an effort last week to cut President Bush’s tax cut proposal by $20.3 billion to pay for health coverage for military reservists and their families whether called up or not.

Congress has authorized this war. It should be generous toward the men and women who are doing the fighting. And it should put this tangible support for the troops ahead of a further tax cut that benefits primarily the wealthy who remain safe at home.