Panel seeks testimony of Guard families Health care of Maine soldiers focus of board

Maine residents who have lost a service member in a non-combat death or who have been affected by a noncombat disability through service in the Maine National Guard are invited to present their stories to a special commission.

The nine-member Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard is charged with improving the health care provided to Guard members through preventive medical practices and screenings. The group is chaired by Barbara Damon-Day, whose 41-year-old son, Capt. Patrick Damon, died of a heart attack in 2006 while deployed in Afghanistan.

Commission members include Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control.

The public hearing will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12, in Room 437 of the State House.

Those who want to speak are asked to bring 12 copies of their typed testimony for commission members. Those who would like to address the commission but cannot attend may mail their testimony to Peter W. Ogden, director, Bureau of Veterans’ Services, 117 State House Station, Augusta 04333-0117. Written testimony also may be e-mailed to Peter.W.Ogden@maine.gov.

Those unable to attend in person but who would like to listen to the proceedings may do so on an Internet link at www.maine.gov/legis/audio/legalcmte.html.

For information, contact Becky Maheux at 626-4302.