The United States flag being flown at half-staff is a sign of the pain in our hearts this July. Each time it is hoisted to its glory, it soon goes back down to leave room for the invisible flag of death. Thirteen days of July have been proclaimed at half-staff.

July half-staff proclamations in Minnesota in accordance with proclamations issued by President Barack Obama as of today are:

July 8 through July 12: As a mark of respect for the victims of the attack on police officers in Dallas.

July 15 through July 19: As a mark of respect for the victims of the attack in Nice, France.

July 18 through July 22: As a mark of respect for the victims of the attack on police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The latest proclamation directs to lower the flag to half-staff before the previous proclamation has ended. This is a dark time for us as Americans and as human beings. As we pull ourselves up and work out our differences, let’s keep in mind that the reason we, as Americans, are able to have differences is because of our freedoms that were set fourth in the Constitution.

In these trying times, we hope people come together in support of others, rather than allowing fear or hate to divide the community — or the country — any more.

“Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.