.Editor's Keep in mind: The adhering to is the text message of a character from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written significantly about specifics of the goal throughout the month I've been below, mostly for two main reasons: the initial being actually that there has been actually quite little opportunity to carry out that type of composing, and secondly because I am actually not sure just how relaxed I am actually sharing notions I share with family and friends with the remainder of the planet.Properly, undoubtedly the world transformed today. What I state or even carry out is incredibly small compared to the importance of what happened to our country today when it was attacked by ... by whom? Terrorists is all we understand, I presume. Tough to know at whom to guide our anger as well as concern ...I had just finished a number of activities today, the absolute most taxing being actually the physical examinations of all workers members. In a private discussion observing that, the tour doctor informed me they were having a really bad time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He described the condition to me as best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually astonished, at that point frightened. My first thought was actually that this wasn't an actual talk, that I was still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only didn't seem to be achievable on this scale in our country. I could not even imagine the details, even just before the headlines of more damage began coming in.Vladimir dropped in quite promptly, noticing that something incredibly severe was actually being actually discussed. I swung Michael in to the element too. They were additionally astonished and also stunned. After our company authorized off, I tried to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as greatest I might the possible immensity of the act of terror in downtown Manhattan and at the Pentagon. They plainly recognized and were extremely sympathetic.I browsed the Planet Map on the personal computer to observe where over the planet our company were as well as discovered that our company were coming southeast out of Canada and also would be actually skipping New England in a few minutes. I whized around the terminal until I discovered a home window that would provide me a view of New York City and ordered the local camera. It occurred to become a camera, and also I was appearing south coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to possess a weird bloom to it at the base of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reading some of the newspaper article our company simply got, I feel we were checking out NY around the amount of time of, or even quickly after, the crash of the 2nd tower. Just how dreadful ...I panned the camera during the East Shore to the south to see if I might see every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, but nothing at all showed up.It was actually quite challenging to consider work after that, though our team had some to do, but on the next track our company crossed the United States additional south. All three of us were functioning a couple of video cameras to make an effort to get perspectives of New york city or Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no details resource can be seen. Everything looked incredible from a couple of hundred miles away. I can not envision the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental impact of our country being actually dealt with and also 1000s of our residents and also possibly some pals being gotten rid of, one of the most mind-boggling sensation being actually where I am actually is among isolation.Following day ... I suspect the fatigue and mental pressure received the greatest of me. I couldn't remain awake as well as continue to write. Today was still complicated, but our team started getting additional information, plus our team possessed the respect of speaking straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that ensured our company that the ground crews will continue to work and also ensure our safety, as well as the risk-free operation of the Station. We additionally spoke with our Manager, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the Plan are actually all totally devoted to continuing risk-free procedures and assistance. These were actually never ever inquiries for me. I know all these people! The ground groups have been incredibly encouraging, really understanding of the impact of the updates, and have actually tried to become as handy as feasible. They have actually all been actually very specialist and also centered though I can not envision the interruption of this particular kind of headlines coming in and the thought and feelings that government structures may be in jeopardy. They certainly never missed a beat, even when transferring nerve center. And also a team of elderly employees as well as buddies provided our company a quite in depth rundown on what was understood as well as what was being done in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually incredibly handy and sort of all of them to perform in the middle of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has actually also been actually supporting as well as handy, trying to uplink newspaper article when our personal resources were actually inoperable, and saying kind phrases ...My crewmates have been excellent, as well. They know it is actually been a tough day for me as well as the folks on the ground, and also they have actually tried to become as even keeled and also handy as feasible. Michael even corrected me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And also they provide me a lot of room to think when I needed it. They are incredibly understanding as well as certainly shocked at whoever would do this.I understand a lot of individuals in Washington, a lot of folks who travel to DC and New York City, so many who are actually aviators, that I really felt sure I would acquire a minimum of a handful of parts of problem over the upcoming couple of days. I acquired the initial one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I came across Chic during plebe summer season when our team resided in the D&B with each other, and also we possessed great deals of lessons all together. I can't envision what he should of looked at, and now I listen to that he might have increased better than we can even consider through potentially preventing his plane coming from being the one to tackle the White Home. What a horrendous loss, but I make sure Chic was dealing with bravely throughout. And also splits do not circulate the exact same precede ...It's hard to describe exactly how it feels to be the only American completely off the planet at once like this. The feeling that I must exist with each of you, managing this, helping in some way, is actually overwhelming. I know that our company get on the threshold (or even past) of a dreadful switch in the background of the globe. A lot of things are going to certainly never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not just for the thousands and also hundreds of folks straight influenced through these ghastly actions of terrorism, yet most likely for all of us. We will certainly find our own selves really feeling differently concerning loads of points, including probably room exploration, unfortunately.It is actually dreadful to view smoke putting coming from cuts in your personal nation from such a wonderful perspective. The duality of getting on a space probe dedicated to strengthening daily life on the planet and enjoying lifestyle being damaged through such deliberate, horrendous process is actually jolting to the mind, no matter that you are actually. And the expertise that every thing will definitely be actually various than when our experts launched due to the time our team land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and in our management that our company are going to carry out every thing feasible to far better shield her as well as our family members, and also to carry compensation for what has actually been performed. I possess confidence that the excellent individuals at NASA will do every little thing essential to proceed our objective safely and also return us safely and securely at the correct time. And also I miss out on every one of you very much. I can not be there along with you personally, as well as our company possess a very long way to visit accomplish our purpose, however be certain that my center is actually along with you, and also know you remain in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Luckily, it is actually been an occupied full week up right here. And to show that, like our country, our company are actually continuing our designated pathway with business as usual (as high as feasible). Tonight the current enhancement to the place, the Russian Docking Area will certainly be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (US opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a slot certainly never utilized prior to on the low point side of the Solution Element. This brand-new element will definitely provide us an additional area to dock a Progress or Soyuz and also will give a sizable airlock along with two useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which our experts are going to perform a few of prior to we come home.The problem just before in dealing with today was insufficient updates. The concern today is a lot of. It came at one time when e-mail was recovered, and there's not enough time to review everything! Plus it's as well difficult to cope with all of it immediately. However I value obtaining it, and I actually cherish the fantastic letters of support and friendly relationship I am actually receiving.Our experts are actually prospering on board, acquiring our work performed, and discussing traits. Last evening we had a long conversation over dinner about the importance of these celebrations, the possible actions to follow, and what need to be actually performed. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every e-mail he acquired coming from good friends in Russia stated exclusively to tell me just how regretful they were actually that this happened, expanding their acknowledgements, as well as talking to how I was carrying out. Vladimir educated me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are a lot very long to articulate conveniently.) Really type individuals.For the last pair of days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to send live programs of radio headlines regarding the occasion as well as associated tales, to make certain I was actually properly educated. Every professional who has started free throw line to explain a technique or even a trouble has at some point prolonged hellos to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that due to the wedding day of recognition in the United States, all the time people had been taking blossoms as well as lining all the walls of the United States consular office in Moscow, as well as this night they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. Exactly how the planet has actually altered.People just about everywhere seem to acknowledge the senselessness and terror in this particular attack. And also the incredible reduction. Moscow has actually dealt with these sort of complications in the last couple of years with apartment and metro bombings, so they are as distressed to get rid of this threat as our company are. But all-time low line is that there are actually really good folks everywhere who intend to stay in tranquility. I check out that a little one talked to, "United States is therefore good to other nations, our team regularly aid everybody, how can they hate our company a lot?".I hope the instance of participation as well as count on that this space probe plus all the people in the course demonstrate daily are going to at some point influence the remainder of the planet to operate the same way. They must!Regrettably, our experts won't be flying over the US while individuals are lighting candlesticks. Do not understand if we might observe that anyhow. Our team did, having said that, observe a quite unique and also lovely attraction a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. We were actually surpassing it and also it came into view about three moments after its own launch from Baikonur as the sun reached our terminal, so it was still at night. It seemed like a huge comet along with a straight, large rear silhouetted against the dark earth underneath. Regardless of some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sun hit our window at a reduced angle, I dealt with some video recording of it as to begin with our team passed the rocket, and then watched it begin to catch up as it got elevation as well as velocity. I shot until primary motor deadline as well as booster separation took place equally as our experts approached dawn on the Himalayas. An unforgettable sight in an extraordinary full week ...Life happens, even precede. Our team are actually here to stay ... Frank.