Friends, family and loved ones came together early Monday to remember the 49 people killed on June 12 at Pulse nightclub.
The vigil started at 2 a.m., the same time a gunman entered and opened fire inside the club six months ago.
Pulse shooting survivor Orlando Torres said dealing the loss of those killed in the attack has been difficult, especially during the holidays.
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"It is emotional," he said. "It is the holidays … now they are going to spend the first one without their loved ones and it is tough for anybody, very tough."
Torres, who survived by hiding inside a bathroom, said listening as the names of the people killed were read off during the vigil was like reliving the day of the attack all over again.
"It was very somber, very touching," he said. "A lot of people crying very loudly."
The shooting at Pulse was the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, and the way the community responded was amazing, a friend of one of the victims said.
"I am very proud to live in this city because in a lot of other places this kind of support would not be here," he said.
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