AUGUSTA – Maine residents who have lost a service member in a noncombat 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 panel is charged with improving the health care provided to Guard members.

The nine-member Commission to Protect the Lives and Health of Members of the Maine National Guard was created during the last legislative session in response to the death of Capt. Patrick Damon, 41, of Falmouth. Damon, who had taken a leave from his position with the Maine Public Utilities Commission, died of a heart attack in Afghanistan on June 15, 2006.

Damon had served as a legislative aide, then as the chief of staff in the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives. He was well-known at the State House.

Although autopsy reports were inconclusive, Damon’s mother, Barbara Damon-Day, feels that her son’s death was precipitated by a cluster of eight vaccines he received shortly before his unit deployed. Damon-Day chairs the new commission, which also includes Dr. Dora Anne Mills, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control; and Gen. Bill Libby, head of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the state Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management. Other members include veterans and health care providers.

The public hearing will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Room 228 of the State House.

Those who wish 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 the following address: 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/ofpr/afaaudiopage.htm.

For additional information, contact Becky Maheux at 626-4302.