How to make a SELECT list readonly? If set disabled, loses the value when submit.

[Mississippi John Hurt]

Help, I can make <html:text> readonly by setting readonly="true" which
works.
<html:select> has no readonly attribute, only a disabled. If I use disabled
attribute, then the value of the select is no longer recognized and my form
validation says its required.  How can I make the <html:select> disabled or
readonly while keeping the values it has passing back to the action when
form is submitted. Thanks.