Year after massacre, club victims honored
Bells toll for 49 lost in 2016 massacre at gay gathering place.
Church bells tolled and people visited memorials in Orlando, Fla., on the first anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting.
Church bells tolled 49 times, a giant rainbow flag hung from a county government build- ing and the names of the victims of the Pulse night- club attack were read aloud at various ceremonies Monday as people in Orlando and beyond remembered the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
At 2:02 a.m., survivors, victims’ families, club employees and local officials were gathered for a private service at the gay club at the exact time Omar Mateen opened fire a year ago and pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. He was even- tually killed by police after a three-hour standoff.
“I realize that gathering here in this place, at this hour, is beyond difficult,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said. “But I also know that the strength you’ve shown over the past year will carry you through today and in the future.”
The service began what would be almost 24 hours of solemn remembrances. During a midday service, the Orlando Gay Chorus per- formed Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors” and speakers talked about how Orlando area residents came together in the aftermath.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said the city will only partly be remembered for the shooting.
“That will be a part of the history books, but the true legacy of our community is going to be in our darkest hour we responded with love and compassion and unity,” Jacobs said.
At noon, church bells throughout the Orlando area rang 49 times. Gov. Rick Scott ordered U.S. flags around Florida to be flown at halfstaff and a gay-pride flag was unveiled at the Orange County government building.
Pulse owner Barbara Poma said when people ask her what has changed in her life since the tragedy, she tells them “everything.” She plans to build a memorial at the site of the nightclub, which has been closed since the tragedy.
“I miss Pulse,” she said. “I miss everything it stood for.”
Outside Pulse, hundreds of people dropped off flowers, drawings and cards. A steady stream of visitors came by the Orange County Regional History Center to see an exhibit of memorial items, including 49 crosses with the victims’ names and photos attached.