Despite hardship, it was honor to serve

I’m honored to have served on jury duty.

My dad, rest his soul, always instilled in me that it was my duty to vote, salute and display my U.S. flag and to serve jury duty and to always be proud that I am an American.

I remember him sharing once that when he returned from England on a crew ship after World War II (he was an MP, so was on the outside deck) one of the few times in his life he said he cried was when the Statue of Liberty became visible through the mist and he knew he was home.

Even though I’ve voted in every single election the last 34 years, this was the first time I was summoned to serve jury duty.

I am severely disabled by a drunk driver who smashed into my truck head-on over 15 years ago, then ran off to California and changed his name on everything so he couldn’t be sued. Even though he didn’t pay one penny of my still continuing huge medical bills that I’ve had to sell off everything I owned just to cover, Dad, I did my duty.

Even though being disabled adds incredible hardship and time-consuming difficulties to every single thing I do in my life, Dad, I did my duty.

Even though the courthouse is “kind of” accessible (the only accessible bathroom is on the fifth floor and to get there, there is only one accessible elevator), Dad, I did my duty.

I thank the judge and courthouse staff, DART staff and my fellow jury members who, because of their assistance and patience, allowed me to fulfill my duty to my country … and to my Dad.

MARIANNE HENDERSON

Lynnwood