Leading a procession more than three blocks long through Jefferson City's downtown sidewalks Saturday morning were the uniformed Knights of Columbus.
About 20 men dressed in capes, feathered caps and tuxedos, these volunteers have led the Midwest March for Life each of its six years.
The regional event mirrors the National March for Life held in Washington, D.C., on the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision, with the aim to see the 42-year-old ruling overturned.
The honor guard is the "visible arm of the Knight of Columbus," drawing from among fourth-degree knights in parishes across the Jefferson City Diocese.
The knights were formed by a Connecticut priest in the 1870s. The Catholic organization supports fundraisers, charities and their individual parishes throughout the year. They also have national and international causes, including the eradication of abortion.
Defending the unborn is a Catholic church position the knights support.
"Life is from conception to natural death," said Warren Hollrah, member of the newly formed Divine Mercy Assembly in Fulton. "Life is very important to the knights."
Saturday's march was Hollrah's first event as a member of the honor guard.
"It was very exciting," he said.
Joe Birk, member of the Dan Coppin Assembly, has been the honor guard captain for about five years.
In addition to being a visible support to the pro-life cause, the knights have invested in ultrasound machines for pregnancy help centers across the nation, Birk said.
The knights involvements have changed over the decades. When David Kiesling joined in 1980, it was a place to meet like-minded gentlemen and help on a mostly local level.
John Richardson, also a member of the Dan Coppin Assembly, has been a member even longer.
"Today, we do more fundraisers and helping people who need assistance," Richardson said.
The organization's involvement and influence has a more global stage now, Kiesling added.
What has remained constant is the knights emphasis on charity, unity and patriotism, he said.
Without the knights' priority on life issues, Kiesling said he might not be as active. However, he said "I'm glad it's something I can do."
Richardson agreed participating Saturday was "a statement that we support them, and we're pro-life.
"We want to show the community what we believe and how important life is."
According to the locally based Vitae Foundation, the number of abortions in Missouri continues to decline.
Kiesling said he feels the pro-life activities, like Saturday's march, are making a difference in swaying public opinion about abortion.
"It still needs to be abolished," Kiesling said.