Katherine Comeaux, an 11th grade student at Hanson Memorial High School of Franklin, La., traveled with Magnificat Travel to Washington, D.C. for the March for Life on Jan. 25, 2013.

March for Life

Katherine Comeaux (Hanson) Dom Casanova (Notre Dame) Sarah Ruiz (Hanson) and Sarah Stirling (Catholic High) with signs before the March for Life.

Stepping off the airplane into the cold Baltimore weather, I knew this trip would be a great one. The day of the Pro Life March was very exciting. Hundreds of thousands of people were there marching in the snowy weather for the same great cause. Eagerly, my friends and I grab some signs that say “Defend Life” and “Stop Abortion Now.” Little did I know what I would soon experience on that March would change my life forever.

The faces of the mothers who regret their abortions will be imprinted in my mind forever.  The brave and courageous fathers standing there weeping for their aborted children was an amazing and powerful sight. The challenge of giving out our baby feet pins had all of us excited and on the lookout for someone who would touch our hearts that day. All of the gruesome pictures of tiny aborted babies shocked and horrified me. The thought that someone could take this precious little life and suddenly end it disgusted me. But, at the same time I couldn’t take my eyes off of the images.

There were a few pro-choice protestors shouting horrible things at pro-life activists passing by. We simply told them to have a blessed day and silently prayed for them to have a change of heart. I realized on the March just how many people care and want the decision of Roe v. Wade reversed. It also made me realize that we can never stop fighting for an end to life. It is our responsibility to stand up for those who do not have a voice and a choice or not to live.

March for Life

Students from Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin, La., join the March for Life on Jan. 25, 2013.

Another day of the trip we had the opportunity to visit the Holocaust Museum. The sights there also horrified me. There was a hall full of shoes of Jewish prisoners at the concentration camps. There were shoes of every size, variety, and color. There were hundreds of them. I could not imagine getting everything you own taken away from you, even your own shoes on your feet. The sights of all the children of the Holocaust shocked and deeply saddened me. There were hundreds of beautiful little faces smiling at us as we walked in their exhibit. We saw some of their drawings and diaries. This deeply touched me. We had the chance to walk into a barrack where up to eight grown men would share one bed. I was horrified at this sight. The shed in my backyard is nicer than the building these prisoners had to live in for many cold German winter months. All of these sights deepened my desire to speak out and fight for life at all costs.

March for Life

Katherine Comeaux, Eli and Ephrum at the pro-life march on Jan. 25, 2013.

I realized on this trip that life is a precious gift from God that should not be taken for granted. Looking at the joy in Eli’s eyes as he played airplanes with me made me realize this. Eli has Spina Bifida and is in a wheelchair. Watching Eli’s smiling, silly faces made me realize just how precious life is. I was thankful that Eli’s parents had chosen life so that I had the opportunity to meet and enjoy his company. Eli has the best personality and attitude in the world. Seeing how much he enjoyed his life made the trip that much more rewarding.

This trip made me realize that we can never stop fighting until there is an end to abortion, not only in our country but all over the world. I am so glad that God gave me this opportunity and insight on the pro-life movement and allowed me to experience this amazing opportunity.

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