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Pence is the highest ranking government official to ever speak in person at the event. USA TODAY

Vice President Mike Pence listens as his wife Karen Pence speaks at the March for Life on the National Mall in Washington, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ORG XMIT: DCMC105(Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta, AP)

WASHINGTON Vice President Pence marked a big moment Friday in his decades-longfight against abortion, simplyby walking on stage.

A week after taking the oath of office, Pencebecame the highest ranking official to appear in person at theannual March for Life demonstration.The significance of his presence wasnt lost on the cheering crowd.

Vice President Pences appearance here is huge, said David Etters, a high school theology teacher from Jackson, Mich. Its an endorsement for this agenda for life.

Debra Maddrell, a retired naval officer from Vienna, Va., said It says that he walks the walk as well as talks the talk.

In introducing her husband, Pences wife Karen reminded the audience, This is not our first March for Life.

Vice President Mike Pence took the stage at the anti-abortion March for Life rally in Washington, DC on Friday. He declared that "life is winning again" following the election of Donald Trump. (Jan. 27) AP

Pence said he was deeply humbled to be the first vice president to attend the gathering and added that President Trump actually asked me to be here today.

In prior years, Republican presidents have addressed the March for Life by phone or video, but Trump sent Pence instead.

He asked me to thank you for your support, for your stand for life and for your compassion for the women and children of America, Pence said.

Some of those gathered here expressed uncertainty about Trumps personal beliefs. Nearly 20 years ago, he described himself as very pro-choice, but he has since said he has evolved.

But the attendees said they see Pence, an evangelical Christian, as a steadfast ally who can hold Trump accountable on an anti-abortion agenda.

In Congress, Pence was a leader in efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and co-sponsored personhood legislation calling for Constitutional rights at the moment of fertilization. As governor of Indiana, he signed several anti-abortion bills, including one that banned abortions solely because of genetic abnormalities legislation that was suspended by a federal judge.

We still need as voters to hold Trumps feet to the fire, but I feel like weve got an ally there (in Pence) and that feels like a first in my lifetime, said Anna Thomas, a kindergarten teacher from Tuckahoe, N.Y.

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During his speech, Pence highlighted Trumps move this week to reinstate a policy to prevent foreign aid from funding organizations that promote or perform abortions. He said the administration will work with Congress to permanently bartaxpayer funding of abortion and abortion providers. And he added that Trump next week will announce a Supreme Court nominee who will uphold the God-given liberties enshrined in our Constitution in the tradition of the late and great Justice Antonin Scalia.

Life is winning in America, he said to cheers. And today is a celebration of the progress that we have made in the cause.

Democrats, in a fundraising email, cited Pences statement as another one of this administrations trademark alternative facts. The email added that the administrations policies will lead to more abortions and more women dying from being denied life-saving care.

Thousands of demonstrators rallied and marched against abortion in Washington on Friday. Jarrad Henderson, USA TODAY

But at the march, his remarks were seen as everything were standing for, said Sheri Tharp, 48, a nurse practitioner from Howard, Ohio.

Tharp said Pence has been about life the whole time, and shes relying on him to bend the presidents ear toward our direction. She wants to "eliminate" abortion from the law.

I do think (Trumps) there, she said. I just think he needs the guidance to prudently get the laws passed. Hes pro-life but Im not sure hes been actively involved as Mike Pence has.

Of Trump, Anna Thomas said, I dont believe that he is personally pro-life at all. Hes made the most mealy mouthed comments about pro-life versus pro-choice issues.

But when he chose Pence for the ticket, she thought, He sees us and he hears us.

Follow @ngaudiano on Twitter.

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At anti-abortion rally, Mike Pence is a beacon of hope - USA TODAY