Daylong services honor Pulse massacre victims
NIGHTCLUB OWNER POMA PLANS MEMORIAL FOR SITE
ORLANDO, Fla. — Church bells tolled 49 times, a giant rainbow flag hung from a county government building, and the names of the victims of the Pulse nightclub 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 eventually killed by police after a three-hour standoff on June 12, 2016.
The service began what would be almost 24 hours of solemn remembrances. During a midday service, the Orlando Gay Chorus performed Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors.” Speakers talked less about the tragedy and more 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 half-staff, 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.” But she said she is grateful for the outpouring of support. She plans to build a memorial at the site of the nightclub.
“I miss Pulse,” she said. “I miss everything it stood for.”