Monday marks six months since the Pulse nightclub attack killed 49 people, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
Dozens of people held a private remembrance ceremony that started at 2:02 a.m., the time the first shots were fired on June 12.
RELATED: More coverage of the attack
At the early-morning ceremony, the names of the 49 people who died were read and a moment of silence was observed.
A group of friends who were inside the club at the time of the attack talked about being trapped inside Pulse for three hours.
They said returning here six months later helps them heal.
“It's a lot to take in, still. You usually just see these things on the news but when you live through it it's a different experience," said one survivor of the attack.
A public memorial is scheduled Monday night at Pulse in memory of the attack.
Church leaders and the Orlando gay chorus will be in attendance.
