GULFPORT, Fla. — The Gulfport community came together on Wednesday night to remember victims of the Pulse shooting.
- Attendees prayed, played inspirational music, gave speeches
- Large number of residents identify as LGBTQ
- More Pinellas County stories
Several dozen residents gathered at the Gulfport Public Library for the vigil, which has become an annual event since the massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando in 2016.
For many in the beachside community, that pain surrounding that event is deeply personal.
"It really struck home. This could have happened anywhere," said Vice-Mayor Paul Ray, who organized the event.
The victims’ names were read at the vigil, and a bouquet of 49 roses was displayed, one for each victim.
A few in attendance Wednesday in Gulfport had personal ties to the Pulse victims.
"Juan Christopher Guerrero, Christopher Andrew Leinonen, they were very, very close friends of mine and I hope that nobody will forget their names," one man said as he placed flowers in their honor in an arrangement.
For Ray, the anniversary is a poignant reminder of just how short life can be.
“My husband and I were supposed to be going to The Parliament House that weekend and more than likely we would have gone to Pulse," he explained. "We were planning on going that weekend, so when it happened, it really sort of just shocked us that that could have been any one of us."
Even years later, people wept openly and said they are saddened by the violence and the loss.
Some said it's become a rallying cry for change.
"Let's try to do something, be an advocate and get out there and vote and make changes for gun control," said Dina Gamma.
Others are using the anniversary to spread a message of acceptance.
"I just think we all need to get along," said Ray.