June 12, 2016 is engrained in our souls as deep as any tragedy. Perhaps it cuts deeper since it happened in our backyard, to our family and loved ones. That day, a gunman walked into the Pulse nightclub, a place of life, love and celebration, and opened fire.
We will always remember where we were when we heard the news. I was with Editor-In-Chief, Jeremy Williams, winding down his birthday celebration. We had gone to the Cheesecake Factory and a movie earlier that night. The plan was to head out to Savoy or Pulse after the movie, but the wait for dinner was longer than expected, which delayed the movie and altered the scheduled. We went back to the house and watched “And The Band Played On” for the benefit of our younger friend who was still trying to get us to go out. At about 2 a.m. that friend headed to Pulse. Shortly after he left, he called to tell us there had been a shooting and he couldn’t get anywhere near the building. For hours that is all we knew. We kept switching news stations to see if anyone had picked it up, but the only place information was coming in was on Darcel Stevens’ live Facebook feed. The horror that unfolded in the next few hours, days and weeks seemed unbearable.
Here we are at the five-year mark. The hurt is every bit as real as it was that day, so real it feels like it just happened while simultaneously feeling like it was a century ago. Through that hurt, though, we see hope and inspiration. This community came together quickly. Established organizations pulled resources while new leaders emerged to help those most vulnerable. The love and beauty displayed by Orlando and its allies around the world is as intense as the pain that lingers. As we reflect on that day and the past five years, I encourage everyone to take part in spreading that love and beauty. If someone needs help, reach out and help. If you need help, ask for it. Our community is there for you.
Watermark’s coverage is dedicated to the 49 lives taken that day, to the hundreds of lives forever changed within the walls of Pulse, to the community that grieved a tremendous loss and to the heroes that stepped up to guide us through that pain.
Honor those we lost, celebrate those who helped and take care of yourself.
Community events in Orlando for Pulse’s 5-year mark
Tampa Bay remembers Pulse at 5-year mark
Pulse, Five Years Later by Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
Lasting Legacy: Keeping Drew’s memory alive by Brandon Wolf
Barbara Poma on Pulse’s five-year mark
The Orange County Regional History Center remembers Pulse, five years later
Stars of Hope to bring art installation to The Center to honor Pulse
PHOTOS: Thousands come out for onePULSE’s 5th annual CommUNITY Rainbow Run
PHOTOS: UCF remembers the Pulse tragedy with vigil at Student Union
UCF students among the recipients of Pulse Legacy Scholarships
06.10.21 Tampa Bay Bureau Chief’s Desk
Senate passes bill to make Pulse a national memorial
Family of Pulse victim to donate $25K in matching funds to The Center Orlando
Watermark Issue 28.12: Pulse Remembered 5 Years Later
Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride announce LGBTQ Pride Month matches honoring Pulse
