Orlando Standard

In a recent development, the City of Orlando has taken ownership of the Pulse site, with the aim of creating a lasting memorial for the 49 angels who were tragically taken on June 12, 2016. Mayor Buddy Dyer has been actively involved in understanding the impact of the dissolution of the onePULSE Foundation and gaining insights into the progress made thus far on the memorial.

"The City of Orlando remains committed to working with the families of the victims and the survivors to ensure that the memorial honors the lives taken, those impacted by the tragedy, and pays tribute to the resiliency of Orlando," Mayor Dyer stated.

To facilitate the memorial's creation, the City of Orlando will establish the Orlando United Pulse Memorial Fund. This will enable the city to take the lead in the memorial process, ensuring that the voices of the victims' families, survivors, and first responders are heard. Mayor Dyer emphasized that the city is finalizing a comprehensive process for engaging and communicating with these stakeholders.

In addition to spearheading the memorial process, the City of Orlando is committed to continuing the Annual Remembrance Ceremony and the CommUNITY Rainbow Run in partnership with the UCF DeVos Sport Business Management Program in 2024. These events have played a vital role in bringing the community together to honor the 49 angels each June.

"We understand the significance of these events and their role in uniting our community. We will ensure that they continue to take place, allowing us to remember and pay our respects to those we lost," Mayor Dyer affirmed.

The City of Orlando will provide regular updates on the progress of the memorial and these events through email and their official website. Mayor Dyer expressed his gratitude to the community for their support and shared, "Together, we will create a memorial that reflects the strength and resilience of Orlando."

These efforts to create a permanent memorial at the Pulse site have garnered attention both locally and internationally. The onePULSE Foundation Board has agreed to share their memorial design work and provide an overview of their initiatives beyond the memorial. Their collaboration with the City of Orlando will ensure a meaningful and inclusive memorial for all.

It is important to note that the City Hall and all city offices will be closed on December 25 and 26 in observance of Christmas. Residents are advised that residential trash collection will not take place on December 25, and they are requested to place their carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26.

As the City of Orlando takes the reins in creating a permanent memorial for the 49 angels of Pulse, the community stands united in honoring their lives and demonstrating the strength and resilience that defines Orlando.

To find out more, go to this link: https://www.orlando.gov/Initiatives/Pulse-Tragedy/Pulse-Memorial/Pulse-Memorial-Press-Releases/Pulse-Memorial-Update-December-18-2023