|
Greetings,
On June 12, Orlando United Day | A Day of Love and Kindness, our community came together to remember the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. We remembered the 49 innocent lives lost, their family and friends, as well as those who were physically injured and those who bear the deep emotional scars of survival. Our community also extended our support to the Pulse family, Pulse Nightclub owner Barbara Poma and the LGBTQ, Latinx and Hispanic communities.
On Orlando United Day, Orange County, the City of Orlando and the One Orlando Alliance observed the one-year remembrance of Pulse with compassion, love and kindness. This annual commemoration is dedicated to honoring the memory of the victims, supporting survivors and recognizing the compassion that was displayed by our community and the world during the darkest and most difficult day in our history.
The One Orlando Alliance's Act, Love, Give movement provided our community and global supporters a way to honor all who were affected by Pulse and acknowledged the resiliency displayed in Central Florida.
Orange County and the City of Orlando came together for a joint Orlando United Day proclamation ceremony and display of the iconic Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag, a globally recognized symbol of the LGBTQ movement. Our employees and extended community participated in the Act, Love, Give movement by donating blood and writing messages of love on rainbow ribbons that were tied on trees outside of the Orange County Administration Building. We also observed a moment of silence at noon as church bells locally and around the globe tolled 49 times in honor of those we lost. The Sea-to-Sea Rainbow Flag was first displayed in Orange County on June 17, 2016.
Under the direction of our Orange County Regional History curatorial staff, Orange County spent hundreds of hours tending to these cherished mementos and tributes. The collection includes letters, art and large displays of condolences including the 49 white crosses from Orlando Health and an iconic IKEA sofa which was placed at the Dr. Phillips Center Seneff Lawn memorial site. Among the thousands of curated items is a rosary from the Vatican, which one woman left in memory of the victims. As the woman later explained, she did not have the funds to buy something of monetary value as a tribute, so she contributed her own rosary, which had profound meaning to her.
Through the One Orlando Collection, and by memorializing the terrible losses that so many have suffered - and the incredible response of love and unity - we hope to educate and inspire future generations so that this tragedy is never again repeated.
Orange County encourages Central Floridians and virtual visitors from across the nation and the world to view these touching tributes at our Keep the Pulse website, www.OneOrlandoCollection.com. The One Orlando Collection will expand as curation efforts continue.
Nothing can ever erase the harm of the Pulse massacre. Yet, as dark and devastating as June 12 was, my spirit continues to be lifted and inspired by the strength, the unity, the compassion and the love that poured forth from all parts of our community in the wake of this nightmare. Forever in my heart I will remember the 49 lost souls, and every year I will observe June 12 as Orlando United Day - an annual commemoration of unity with our LGBTQ, Latinx and Hispanic communities, as well as a reminder of our broader purpose on this earth and our mission as a community united in love and support.
Sincerely,
Teresa Jacobs
Orange County Mayor
|
