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Rainbow arches over Orlando as hundreds remember Pulse nightclub shooting victims

ORLANDO, Fla. — Dozens of people gathered outside Orlando's Pulse nightclub at 2:02 a.m. Wednesday, exactly three years to the moment that the first shot rang out, beginning what – at the time – became the deadliest mass shooting in modern history.

Hours later, before sunset and under the glow of a rainbow, 1,500 people again gathered outside the club for a public remembrance ceremony.

June 12 marked the third anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49 people, physically wounded 53 and traumatized hundreds more.

Survivors said even though three years have passed, the pain from that tragic night is still very present.

"Many of the friends and family are here reporting to the loved ones we've lost and for the survivors too, many of them are still going through surgery, unfortunately," Pulse survivor Orlando Torres said.

Events were planned all day remembering the victims and survivors of the attack, from blood drives to bell tolls for each victim.

WATCH LIVE: Bells toll for 49 Pulse victims

WATCH LIVE: Bells are tolling across the world in tribute to the 49 Pulse victims. Read more about today's memorial events: https://at.wftv.com/31qiHSe

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Well before the sun rose Wednesday morning, a steady stream of people made their way to the Pulse memorial sharing a moment of silence together just after 2 a.m.

"We are always going to be supporting our survivors," said Jim McDermott, who lost a friend in the shooting. "That's what we are here to do. We are here to make sure that it’s not just about a memorial. The true legacy of Pulse are the people that have come together to unite together and to protect Orlando."

Some survivors said they are still working on their recovery whether it be mental wounds or physical.

>> On WFTV.com: Orlando community gathers 3 years after Pulse nightclub massacre

"There's one friend I know who still has a bullet near his spine, waiting for it to shift so, it's an ongoing thing," Torres said.

Torres said coming together to remember is important.

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"We have love and I’m sure if the whole world was close by they'd be here, too," he said.

Before he spoke at the evening ceremony, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer reached up and pointed to the sky where a rainbow arched overhead.

"It would not be a Pulse remembrance ceremony if we didn't have a rainbow," he said.

Maybe some will say, “it’s just June in Florida...”But those of us at #Pulse right now... we know. ❤️ 🌈 #LoveWins onePULSE Foundation WFTVCity of Orlando

Posted by Nancy Alvarez, WFTV on Wednesday, June 12, 2019

>> Watch the full ceremony here

WATCH LIVE: Community gathers to remember Pulse victims

WATCH LIVE: The community has gathered to remember the victims of the Pulse nightclub attack three years later. Read: at.wftv.com/2Ztm8WT

Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Read more here.