.Publisher's Keep in mind: The observing is the text message of a letter coming from Exploration Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed significantly concerning specifics of this particular purpose in the course of the month I have actually been listed below, primarily for two factors: the very first being that there has actually been very little bit of opportunity to accomplish that kind of composing, as well as also given that I am actually uncertain how comfortable I am sharing ideas I share with family and friends with the rest of the world.Properly, undoubtedly the globe transformed today. What I state or even do is incredibly slight reviewed to the value of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually assaulted through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is all we know, I presume. Challenging to know at whom to direct our anger as well as fear ...I had actually only ended up a number of tasks today, the best time-consuming being the physical examinations of all staff participants. In an exclusive talk adhering to that, the trip cosmetic surgeon told me they were having an extremely poor time on the ground. I possessed no idea ...He illustrated the scenario to me as best he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, at that point terrified. My 1st thought and feelings was actually that this had not been a real discussion, that I was still listening closely to among my Tom Clancy strips. It just really did not seem to be possible on this scale in our country. I couldn't even visualize the details, also prior to the headlines of more devastation started coming in.Vladimir visited quite swiftly, picking up that something really major was actually being actually reviewed. I waved Michael in to the module too. They were likewise surprised as well as stunned. After we authorized off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as ideal I might the potential magnitude of the act of horror in midtown New york and at the Pentagon. They clearly knew as well as were actually quite thoughtful.I glanced at the World Map on the pc to find where over the world our team were actually as well as saw that our company were actually happening southeast away from Canada and would certainly be actually skipping New England in a few moments. I zipped around the station until I located a home window that would provide me a viewpoint of NYC and also snatched the closest cam. It happened to become a camera, and also I was actually looking southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to be to possess a weird bloom to it at the foundation of the column that was actually streaming south of the area. After checking out among the news articles our experts only received, I feel our experts were looking at NY around the time of, or not long after, the collapse of the 2nd tower. Just how terrible ...I swept the camera all along the East Coast to the south to find if I could possibly see some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet nothing was visible.It was actually rather hard to think of job afterwards, though our company possessed some to accomplish, however on the following orbit we went across the US more south. All three of us were working 1 or 2 cams to try to receive sights of New York or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, however no particular source may be viewed. Everything appeared amazing coming from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't think of the terrible scenes on the ground.Apart from the psychological impact of our country being actually dealt with and thousands of our residents as well as perhaps some close friends being eliminated, the most overwhelming feeling being actually where I am is just one of solitude.Following time ... I suspect the tiredness and also psychological strain received the very best of me. I could not keep awake and continue to create. Today was still hard, however our team started getting additional info, plus we possessed the honor of talking directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured us that the ground groups will remain to work as well as guarantee our security, and also the safe function of the Place. Our team likewise learnt through our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the Course are all completely dedicated to carrying on risk-free functions and support. These were actually never concerns for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground staffs have actually been actually astonishingly encouraging, extremely understanding of the effect of the information, and also have actually made an effort to be as helpful as possible. They have all been quite qualified as well as focused though I can't picture the diversion of the sort of headlines can be found in and the idea that government structures might be in jeopardy. They certainly never avoided a beat, also when moving control centers. As well as a team of elderly employees as well as buddies provided our team a quite complete rundown about what was actually recognized and what was being actually done in the federal government and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually very useful and also kind of all of them to perform in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supportive and valuable, attempting to uplink news articles when our very own resources were actually unusable, and pointing out kind words ...My crewmates have been fantastic, also. They know it is actually been a challenging day for me as well as the people on the ground, as well as they've attempted to be as even keeled and also beneficial as possible. Michael also corrected me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they provide me a lot of area to think when I needed it. They are actually really understanding and also naturally outraged at whoever will do this.I know plenty of individuals in Washington, so many people that take a trip to DC as well as New York City, so many that are aviators, that I experienced certain I will obtain at least a couple of items of problem over the next few times. I acquired the first one today when I found out that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that hit the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I encountered Chic throughout cadet summertime when our experts remained in the D&B with each other, and also our company had great deals of classes with each other. I can not envision what he should of gone through, and also now I hear that he might possess climbed even more than our experts can also consider through possibly preventing his aircraft from being actually the one to tackle the White House. What a dreadful loss, yet I make sure Chic was battling bravely throughout. And also tears do not stream the exact same precede ...It's difficult to define just how it experiences to become the only American completely off the world at a time such as this. The sensation that I need to be there along with all of you, coping with this, assisting in some way, is frustrating. I recognize that our company get on the limit (or past) of a terrible change in the history of the world. Many things will definitely never ever coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the thousands as well as hundreds of individuals directly had an effect on through these hideous process of terrorism, but probably for all of us. Our company will find ourselves feeling in different ways concerning lots of factors, featuring most likely space expedition, however.It's unpleasant to observe smoke cigarettes putting coming from wounds in your own country coming from such a great vantage point. The dichotomy of getting on a space capsule devoted to enhancing daily life on the planet and also watching lifestyle being damaged through such willful, horrendous acts is jolting to the mind, despite that you are. As well as the understanding that everything are going to be actually different than when our team introduced by the opportunity we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and also in our management that our team will certainly do every thing feasible to better guard her as well as our loved ones, as well as to carry compensation of what has actually been actually done. I possess self-confidence that the really good folks at NASA will certainly perform every little thing important to proceed our objective carefully as well as return our company carefully at the correct time. As well as I overlook every one of you significantly. I can't be there with you face to face, and our team have a long way to go to accomplish our objective, however be actually certain that my center is actually with you, and recognize you reside in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final letter ... Fortunately, it is actually been actually an occupied full week up below. And also to confirm that, like our country, our team are continuing on our designated course with business customarily (as much as achievable). Tonight the latest enhancement to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment will be actually launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (US time), it will dock with our team, at a slot never used before on the nadir side of the Solution Component. This new component is going to give our team one more place to dock a Progression or Soyuz and are going to supply a big airlock with 2 useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our company will definitely perform a few of before our experts return.The concern just before in taking care of recently was insufficient headlines. The trouble right now is actually too much. It came simultaneously when email was rejuvenated, as well as there's insufficient opportunity to review everything! Plus it is actually too hard to manage all of it immediately. However I enjoy obtaining it, and also I definitely cherish the excellent characters of assistance as well as friendship I am actually obtaining.Our team are flourishing aboard, acquiring our work done, and referring to traits. Last evening our team had a lengthy discussion over supper concerning the implication of these occasions, the possible activities to comply with, and also what must be done. After dinner, Michael made a point of telling me that every e-mail he received coming from buddies in Russia claimed especially to tell me just how sorry they were actually that this occurred, prolonging their condolences, and also asking exactly how I was doing. Vladimir showed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian as well as the English phrases are actually a lot extremely long to verbalize effortlessly.) Incredibly type folks.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to send real-time programs of radio headlines regarding the celebration and connected accounts, to make certain I was actually well notified. Every expert who has begun free throw line to cover an operation or even a concern contends some factor prolonged greetings to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that because of the special day of remembrance in the United States, all the time folks had actually been delivering flowers and also edging all the wall surfaces of the United States consulate in Moscow, as well as this evening they were actually lighting candlesticks in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the planet has actually transformed.Individuals almost everywhere seem to realize the senselessness and also scary in this attack. And also the incredible loss. Moscow has actually coped with these kind of complications in the final handful of years with home and subway battles, so they are actually as troubled to do away with this threat as we are actually. But the bottom collection is that there are excellent people almost everywhere who wish to live in peace. I read through that a little one inquired, "America is actually therefore great to various other countries, our company consistently aid everyone, how can they hate us a great deal?".I hope the example of collaboration and rely on that this space probe and all people in the plan illustrate daily will sooner or later motivate the rest of the world to operate the same way. They must!Sadly, our company won't be piloting over the United States during the time people are actually igniting candle lights. Don't know if we could observe that anyhow. Our experts did, nevertheless, find a really unique and also wonderful view a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our team were eclipsing it and also it appeared concerning 3 minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine attacked our terminal, so it was actually still at night. It resembled a huge comet along with a right, wide rear silhouetted against the black planet underneath. Regardless of some negative lighting fixtures for a while as the sunshine struck our home window at a low position, I handled some video of it as first we passed the rocket, and afterwards viewed it begin to catch up as it gained altitude and speed. I recorded until principal motor deadline and booster splitting up took place just as we moved toward daybreak on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary attraction in a remarkable week ...Lifestyle goes on, even in space. We're right here to stay ... Frank.