WASHINGTON – When 13-year-old Courtney Kazalski arrived at her first March for Life Jan. 22, she did not know what to expect.

"It was different than I had imagined," said Kazalski, a seventh grader at Holy Cross School, Rumson, who traveled to Washington with her father.

"I thought there would be many people who were pro-choice and would be protesting against the march. Instead, it was very peaceful. I'll remember this forever and hope to go again every year."

Despite the cold, gray skies covering the nation's capital, this year's March drew one of the largest turnouts with some 250,000 people of all ages, races and faith traditions. Venturing on foot from the National Mall to the steps of the Supreme Court building, all were harmonious as they prayed, sang and chanted, and did their best to create more of a pep rally atmosphere than a political protest on the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling.

As in years' past, the Diocese of Trenton was well represented. Bishop John M. Smith walked in solidarity with a throng of faithful from all corners of the diocese, including a group of priests, diocesan personnel as well as parish pro-life groups, Knights of Columbus councils and youth and young adults.

Even the bus journey to Washington brought a smile to Linda Richardson's face as she spoke of how edifying it was to be with a parish community with a varied range of people -- entire families, children and teenagers, a newly-engaged couple, and another "hospitable" couple, who had been attending the march for years.

"You can't imagine the feeling until you experience going to Washington at least one time. The whole day was very positive," Richardson said. She is the director of the diocesan Office of Family Life/Respect Life.

Al Smith, a member of Sacred Heart Council, Knights of Columbus, Willingboro, and Corpus Christi Parish, Willingboro, made it very clear why he has gone to the March for Life for the past 10 years.

"I firmly believe in the pro-life movement and that all human life begins at conception and ends with natural death," said Smith.

The overwhelming enthusiasm shown among the marchers did not escape either Al Smith or his wife, Marie, who has also attended a number of marches.

"They seemed as fervent as ever," said Al Smith. He noted how striking it was to see a number of women carrying signs that read, "I regret my abortion."

For seven years, Father Ian Trammell, coordinator of Respect Life Ministries in the diocesan Office of Family Life/Respect Life, has attended the March for Life.

Echoing his colleague, Linda Richardson, about seeing a significant increase in the number of young people, Father Trammell was taken by their energy.

The young people, he said, were "enthusiastically rejuvenating many of our veteran marchers," he said.

Father Trammell also acknowledged the several diocesan priests who came to Washington and how they "encouraged us by their presence." Those priests included Fathers Michael McClane, Joselito Noche, James O'Neill, Alberto Tamayo, Michael Figler and Brian Woodrow.

Father Trammell could not contain his enthusiasm on how the people of the diocese banned together during the march and seeing the mass of Diocese of Trenton banners waving around Bishop Smith as he led his flock in the short pilgrimage from the National Mall to the Supreme Court as a "family of faith."

"This was truly moving," said Father Trammell. "It allowed me to consider that our calling from Christ is to follow the lead of the successor of the Apostles which God has gifted to the Diocese of Trenton. I am grateful to be able to assist our bishop in highlighting such a basic and crucial aspect of our faith as Catholics. While we have far to go, we have already accomplished much together."

For some of the marchers, a poignant part of the day was the pointed and powerful statement made by Congressman Chris Smith.

Referring to the loss of the estimated 50 million innocent children whose lives were cut off by abortion, as "staggering," Congressman Smith said that number is equal to six times the total number of people living in "my home state of New Jersey."

"Someday future generations of Americans will look back on us and wonder how and why such a rich and seemingly enlightened society, so blessed and endowed with the capacity to protect and enhance vulnerable human life, could have instead so aggressively promoted death to children and the exploitation of women by abortion both here and overseas," he said.

Emphasizing how generations to come will reflect with dismay and incredulity that in 2008, the largest abortion provider in the nation, Planned Parenthood, will continue to receive "huge amounts of taxpayer funds."

"As I said recently on the floor of the House of Representatives, it's time to take a second look at Planned Parenthood, 'Child Abuse Incorporated,' for the millions of children it has killed and continues to kill, all the while receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from local, state and federal governments," Smith said.

Of the March for Life, the congressman added how "future generations will look on those who march for life with gratitude for their unwavering resolve to protect both women and unborn children from abortion."