In the midst of the chaos that surrounds the current political landscape - the indictments of former President Trump, the controversies surrounding the arrival of asylum seekers in our region and another upcoming election race, it might be easy to overlook the life-altering events that took place not far from here, 22 years ago next week.

Those of us alive on September 11, 2001 will never forget the details of the day. We will not forget the thousands who lost their lives that day, whether they be airline passengers, workers in one of the Twin Tower buildings or the Pentagon or the many first responders. Many of them would suffer the lasting effects of that horrific day long after the debris had been removed and a new tower would rise in lower Manhattan.

We may remember many things from 9-11, but there are clearly lessons lost from that time.

America emerged from 9-11 a unified nation. We shared our love for New York City, for our country and for those institutions that define America, including its military and its first responders.We were united in a cause to defeat global terrorism. That unity is nowhere to be found today. It was undone by, among other things, a pandemic, and the events leading up to and including January 6, 2021.

We are divided among racial and economic lines. Political divisions have widened in recent years. Mostly, it seems that we have forgotten how to care for one another.

While we must always remember 9-11, so too must we remember its aftermath. We must remember the sense of compassion and unity that was embraced. And we must find a way to recapture that feeling now.

We look to our leaders to show us the way, before it is too late.