What have you done for your country? How have you served the nation? With Memorial Day upon us, those can be daunting questions when compared with the service that our men and women in the military perform and the sacrifices they have made for us.

But there is one way we at home can honor those who have died for our country and help protect justice and democracy — by serving on a jury when called. Unfortunately, participation in this act of service is suffering around the country, including in the state of Maryland. Nationally, only 46 percent of people summoned for jury duty show up, according to the National Center for State Courts.

In Baltimore, that number is worse — a General Assembly study found that of those summoned to jury service in Baltimore, only 37 percent even bothered to respond. Of those who do respond, still more will come up with excuses for why they cannot serve. This is a trend that cannot be sustained and imposes a burden on our judicial system that cannot be allowed to continue.

So perhaps this holiday can serve as an impetus to more civic participation by simply remembering its true meaning. Memorial Day comes to us this year — as it has for the last several — during a time when American men and women are fighting the war on terrorism. Many of those men and women, and many more throughout our nation’s history, have died giving what Lincoln referred to at Gettysburg as the “last full measure of devotion” to their nation. But Lincoln’s address that day of course was more an admonition to the living to memorialize the dead by continuing the “unfinished work” of our democracy.

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The jury trial is a cornerstone of our democratic system. James Madison, the fourth president of the United States, fought hard for the inclusion of what became our Sixth and Seventh amendments — promising us a “jury of our peers” in criminal and civil trials. Madison believed the jury trial would promote fairness and protect us from tyranny.

In today’s legal environment, serving on a jury is a responsibility everyone should take seriously in order to ensure our courts are used for justice and that those who have been harmed receive fair compensation. Serving on a jury is also one way to help fight lawsuit abuse and put an end to frivolous lawsuits, by rendering fair and just verdicts. Even our politicians recognize the importance of jury service and have recently passed legislation to encourage people to answer the call. Two years ago in Maryland, the General Assembly increased the per juror daily allowance in some instances.

Nobody is arguing that this type of service is fun or easy. Marylanders work hard and vacation little, and when we have to take off time from work, we would rather be doing it with family and friends. Additionally, some measures could be taken by the jury system that would acknowledge our work calendar and give us more choices on when we might serve.

At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 — Maryland’s Del. James McHenry made note of an exchange between a woman and Benjamin Franklin. “Well, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” the woman asked. “A republic, if you can keep it,” the doctor replied. Franklin was sending early notice that our government is a shared effort — requiring us to roll up our sleeves from time to time. 

So as you enjoy this weekend, remember that Memorial Day is more than just a day off of work and the start to the summer season. This important holiday can serve as a reminder that a democracy belongs to its citizens, and its ability to deliver justice relies on them. It’s up to each of us to answer the call when summoned for jury duty and to ensure our legal system is used for justice, not greed.

Todd D. Lamb is the executive director of Maryland Citizens Against

Lawsuit Abuse.