.Publisher's Details: The following is actually the text message of a character from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reflecting on the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written significantly concerning specifics of the goal throughout the month I have actually been here, generally for 2 main reasons: the very first being actually that there has been quite little bit of opportunity to accomplish that kind of creating, and furthermore, due to the fact that I'm uncertain exactly how pleasant I am sharing notions I share with friends and family along with the rest of the globe.Effectively, obviously the world altered today. What I state or even carry out is incredibly small reviewed to the importance of what happened to our nation today when it was attacked through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I reckon. Hard to recognize at whom to guide our temper as well as fear ...I had simply completed a number of activities this morning, the best lengthy being the physical examinations of all staff participants. In a private chat complying with that, the trip cosmetic surgeon told me they were actually having an incredibly poor day on the ground. I had no concept ...He defined the scenario to me as finest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was overwhelmed, then terrified. My initial thought and feelings was that this had not been a genuine talk, that I was still paying attention to among my Tom Clancy strips. It merely didn't seem to be possible on this incrustation in our country. I could not even think of the particulars, also before the information of more devastation began being available in.Vladimir came quite swiftly, picking up that one thing extremely severe was being actually reviewed. I waved Michael in to the module at the same time. They were also impressed and stunned. After our company signed off, I attempted to clarify to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I can the potential immensity of this particular act of horror in downtown New york as well as at the Pentagon. They precisely knew as well as were actually quite considerate.I browsed the Globe Chart on the computer system to see where over the world our company were actually and observed that our company were coming southeast away from Canada and also would certainly be actually overlooking New England in a handful of minutes. I zipped around the terminal till I discovered a window that will offer me a viewpoint of New York City and got hold of the closest video camera. It happened to be a camera, as well as I was actually looking south coming from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to be to possess an odd flower to it at the bottom of the pillar that was streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reading through one of the news articles our company simply received, I believe we were considering NY around the amount of time of, or even not long after, the failure of the 2nd tower. How unpleasant ...I scanned the video camera during the East Coastline to the south to find if I might view any other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing showed up.It was actually pretty difficult to consider job afterwards, though our team had some to do, however on the upcoming track our company went across the US further south. All 3 people were actually functioning 1 or 2 video cameras to make an effort to receive views of New york city or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no certain resource can be found. Everything appeared astonishing coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can not think of the awful settings on the ground.Besides the mental influence of our country being actually attacked and also countless our consumers and also possibly some buddies being killed, one of the most overwhelming emotion being actually where I am actually is among isolation.Upcoming time ... I think the tiredness as well as emotional tension obtained the greatest of me. I could not keep awake and also remain to write. Today was still challenging, yet our company began acquiring additional details, plus our team possessed the tribute of talking directly with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, that guaranteed our team that the ground teams would continue to work as well as ensure our protection, and also the risk-free function of the Station. Our experts also talked to our Manager, Mr. Goldin, that included that the companions in the System are actually all entirely devoted to continuing safe functions and help. These were actually never ever concerns for me. I know all these folks! The ground crews have actually been astonishingly helpful, quite understanding of the impact of the headlines, as well as have tried to become as helpful as possible. They have all been extremely qualified and concentrated though I can not think of the diversion of this form of updates coming in and also the notion that government properties could be in danger. They never avoided a beat, even when relocating nerve center. And a group of senior staffs and friends provided us a fairly complete rundown about what was understood and what was being actually done in the government and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was extremely helpful as well as kind of them to carry out in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has also been actually helpful and valuable, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our own assets were unusable, and also saying kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been actually great, as well. They recognize it's been a hard time for me and also the individuals on the ground, and also they have actually tried to become as also keeled and beneficial as achievable. Michael even repaired me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And they provide me plenty of area to assume when I required it. They are actually quite sympathetic and also of course outraged at whoever will perform this.I know plenty of individuals in Washington, plenty of people that take a trip to DC and NYC, numerous who are flies, that I experienced sure I will acquire at least a handful of pieces of trouble over the upcoming few times. I got the 1st one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I came across Chic during the course of cadet summer when our company were in the D&B all together, and also our company possessed great deals of courses with each other. I can't picture what he must of gone through, and also currently I hear that he may possess climbed additionally than we can easily also think of by possibly avoiding his aircraft from being the one to attack the White Property. What an awful loss, yet I ensure Chic was actually combating fearlessly throughout. And also splits do not move the same in space ...It's tough to illustrate how it experiences to become the only United States completely off the earth at once including this. The sensation that I should be there with every one of you, taking care of this, aiding somehow, is difficult. I understand that our experts get on the threshold (or even beyond) of a horrendous change in the record of the globe. A lot of factors will definitely certainly never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the thousands and also thousands of individuals straight influenced through these ghastly acts of violence, but possibly for everyone. Our company will definitely discover ourselves experiencing differently concerning loads of things, consisting of most likely room exploration, however.It is actually awful to see smoke pouring from cuts in your own country from such an awesome point of view. The duality of performing a space probe committed to improving life on the planet and checking out lifestyle being actually destroyed through such willful, dreadful process is actually jolting to the psyche, regardless of who you are. As well as the know-how that whatever are going to be different than when our company launched by the time we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and also in our leadership that our company are going to do every thing feasible to much better safeguard her and also our families, and to deliver compensation of what has actually been actually performed. I have peace of mind that the excellent people at NASA will definitely carry out whatever needed to proceed our mission securely and return our team carefully at the right time. And also I skip all of you very much. I can't exist with you personally, and our experts possess a very long way to go to accomplish our mission, yet be certain that my center is with you, and also understand you are in my requests.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final letter ... Fortunately, it is actually been actually a hectic week up listed here. And also to confirm that, like our country, we are advancing our planned course with company customarily (as much as possible). Tonight the latest addition to the place, the Russian Docking Chamber are going to be released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States opportunity), it will dock along with us, at a slot never ever made use of before on the nadir side of the Company Component. This brand new element is going to provide our team another spot to dock a Development or even Soyuz and also are going to give a huge airlock with pair of able to be used hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our experts are going to carry out a few of before we come home.The trouble before in handling today was insufficient information. The concern today is way too much. It arrived at one time when email was brought back, and also there's inadequate time to review it all! Plus it's too difficult to manage all of it instantly. Yet I appreciate receiving it, as well as I truly value the terrific characters of help as well as friendship I am actually receiving.We are actually flourishing on board, obtaining our job carried out, and talking about things. Final night our team had a long discussion over supper concerning the value of these occasions, the feasible actions to comply with, as well as what ought to be carried out. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every e-mail he got from buddies in Russia pointed out especially to tell me just how regretful they were that this occurred, extending their condolences, and also talking to how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir taught me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after speaking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar City. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are a lot too lengthy to articulate simply.) Quite types people.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transfer online shows of radio information about the celebration as well as connected stories, to make sure I was actually effectively updated. Every professional that has started free throw line to discuss a procedure or an issue has at some factor prolonged greetings to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that as a result of the big day of recognition in the United States, throughout the day individuals had been delivering florals as well as edging all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, and this night they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. Just how the planet has actually modified.People all over seem to be to identify the senselessness and terror within this strike. And also the remarkable loss. Moscow has actually managed these sort of troubles in the last handful of years with house and subway bombings, so they are actually as restless to eliminate this threat as our experts are actually. But the bottom collection is actually that there are actually really good people just about everywhere who desire to stay in tranquility. I read that a little one inquired, "United States is actually therefore excellent to other nations, we constantly help everyone, how can they dislike us so much?".I really hope the instance of participation and also count on that this space capsule plus all individuals in the system demonstrate daily are going to one day influence the remainder of the planet to work similarly. They must!However, we will not be actually flying over the United States during the time people are igniting candle lights. Do not know if we could observe that anyhow. Our team performed, having said that, see a quite unusual as well as wonderful attraction a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. We were eclipsing it and it came into view concerning three minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sun attacked our terminal, so it was still unaware. It appeared like a big comet along with a straight, broad rear silhouetted against the black earth below. Even with some negative lighting fixtures for a while as the sun attacked our window at a low perspective, I handled some video of it as first our team passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it start to mesmerize as it acquired elevation and rate. I shot up until primary engine deadline and enhancer separation took place just like our experts moved toward sunup on the Mountain ranges. An unforgettable view in a remarkable week ...Lifestyle happens, also precede. Our team're below to keep ... Frank.