.Editor's Details: The observing is the content of a character from Trip 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reviewing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created significantly about specifics of the objective in the course of the month I have actually been listed here, mostly for two explanations: the first being actually that there has been extremely little bit of time to accomplish that sort of creating, as well as the second thing is because I'm unsure exactly how comfortable I am actually sharing notions I provide family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Effectively, clearly the world changed today. What I mention or do is actually very slight matched up to the value of what occurred to our country today when it was attacked by ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we know, I presume. Tough to recognize at whom to drive our temper as well as fear ...I had just ended up a variety of activities today, the absolute most taxing being actually the physical exams of all workers participants. In a private discussion adhering to that, the flight cosmetic surgeon informed me they were actually having an incredibly poor day on the ground. I had no idea ...He described the situation to me as greatest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was amazed, after that horrified. My initial thought and feelings was actually that this had not been a real talk, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just really did not appear achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't even visualize the particulars, even just before the headlines of more damage began coming in.Vladimir came over rather promptly, sensing that one thing very major was being actually reviewed. I waved Michael in to the component at the same time. They were actually likewise amazed and also stunned. After we signed off, I tried to describe to Vladimir and also Michael as finest I could possibly the possible magnitude of the act of horror in midtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They clearly recognized and were actually very understanding.I browsed the Globe Chart on the pc to find where over the world we were as well as noticed that we were coming southeast away from Canada and also would certainly be overlooking New England in a few mins. I whized around the station up until I discovered a home window that will provide me a view of NYC as well as got the nearest cam. It occurred to become a video camera, as well as I was actually looking south coming from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have a strange bloom to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After checking out one of the news articles our team merely obtained, I feel our company were considering NY around the moment of, or not long after, the crash of the second tower. How terrible ...I swung the camera during the East Coastline to the south to find if I could possibly see any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing showed up.It was actually quite tough to think of work afterwards, though our team possessed some to perform, yet on the upcoming track our team traversed the US more south. All three of us were actually functioning a couple of cams to try to acquire views of New york city or Washington. There was haze over Washington, but no details resource can be observed. All of it appeared incredible from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can't imagine the unfortunate settings on the ground.Other than the emotional effect of our country being tackled and also hundreds of our residents and maybe some good friends being eliminated, the absolute most frustrating feeling being where I am actually is among solitude.Upcoming time ... I guess the fatigue as well as mental tension acquired the most ideal of me. I could not stay awake as well as continue to write. Today was actually still challenging, but our experts started getting more information, plus our team had the tribute of speaking directly with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that ensured us that the ground staffs will continue to function and also ensure our protection, along with the risk-free procedure of the Station. Our experts additionally learnt through our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the Course are all totally dedicated to proceeding secure procedures and assistance. These were never ever inquiries for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground crews have actually been extremely helpful, quite understanding of the impact of the updates, and also have tried to be as helpful as feasible. They have actually all been actually incredibly professional as well as centered though I can't picture the disturbance of the form of news can be found in as well as the idea that federal government structures may be in danger. They never missed a beat, also when relocating control centers. And a team of elderly workers and pals gave us a rather detailed briefing about what was actually known and what was being performed in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually quite practical and kind of them to perform in the middle of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has actually likewise been supportive and also valuable, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our personal assets were unusable, and mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been great, too. They recognize it is actually been actually a difficult day for me and the individuals on the ground, and also they've made an effort to become as also keeled as well as beneficial as feasible. Michael also repaired me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And they provide me lots of room to believe when I required it. They are actually very supportive and also obviously outraged at whoever will do this.I recognize many folks in Washington, many folks that journey to DC and also NYC, so many who are actually captains, that I really felt sure I would get at least a couple of items of trouble over the following couple of days. I obtained the initial one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that reached the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic throughout plebe summer season when we were in the D&B all together, as well as we possessed considerable amounts of lessons together. I can't visualize what he needs to of looked at, and now I listen to that he might have climbed better than our team may even think of through potentially preventing his airplane coming from being actually the one to attack the White Property. What a horrendous loss, yet I make certain Chic was dealing with bravely to the end. And tears do not circulate the same precede ...It's challenging to describe exactly how it really feels to be the only American completely off the planet at once including this. The feeling that I ought to exist with all of you, handling this, aiding somehow, is actually frustrating. I know that our company are on the limit (or even past) of an awful shift in the past of the planet. Several traits will definitely certainly never coincide again after September 11, 2001. Not just for the manies thousand as well as hundreds of people straight impacted through these horrendous acts of violence, yet possibly for everybody. Our company will find our own selves feeling in different ways about lots of things, consisting of possibly room expedition, however.It's awful to view smoke putting coming from injuries in your personal country coming from such an awesome vantage point. The dichotomy of performing a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the planet and seeing life being destroyed by such intentional, dreadful acts is jolting to the mind, regardless of that you are actually. And the knowledge that whatever will definitely be various than when our team introduced due to the opportunity we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and in our management that our team will certainly perform every little thing achievable to much better defend her and our loved ones, and to take justice for what has been actually performed. I have assurance that the great individuals at NASA will carry out every thing required to continue our objective securely and also return us safely at the correct time. As well as I overlook all of you very much. I can not be there along with you in person, and we have a very long way to visit complete our objective, however be certain that my soul is with you, and know you remain in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last letter ... The good news is, it's been actually an active week up here. And also to verify that, like our nation, our experts are continuing on our designated pathway with service customarily (as high as achievable). Tonight the current enhancement to the place, the Russian Docking Area will be actually introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US time), it will definitely dock with our team, at a port certainly never utilized just before on the nadir edge of the Service Element. This brand new module will certainly offer our team another spot to dock a Progression or Soyuz and are going to offer a big airlock along with 2 useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our company will carry out a few of before we come home.The complication prior to in taking care of this week was actually insufficient headlines. The complication now is actually way too much. It came at one time when email was actually recovered, and there is actually not nearly enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it is actually also hard to cope with all of it immediately. However I cherish acquiring it, and also I truly cherish the wonderful characters of assistance and companionship I am actually acquiring.We are prospering aboard, receiving our work performed, and talking about things. Final night we possessed a long conversation over dinner about the value of these activities, the possible activities to observe, and what must be actually done. After dinner, Michael made a point of telling me that every e-mail he got coming from good friends in Russia claimed specifically to inform me how regretful they were actually that this happened, expanding their condolences, and talking to exactly how I was performing. Vladimir taught me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Area. (Both the Russian and the English words are actually a lot very lengthy to verbalize easily.) Really types folks.For the final two days, the Russian MCC has been good enough to broadcast real-time programs of broadcast information regarding the occasion and associated accounts, to make certain I was properly informed. Every professional that has actually started the line to discuss a technique or even a problem contends some aspect stretched hellos to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that due to the special day of recognition in the United States, throughout the day people had been actually delivering florals as well as lining all the wall surfaces of the US embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were actually igniting candlesticks in the road outside the consulate. Just how the planet has actually transformed.Individuals almost everywhere appear to acknowledge the senselessness and terror in this assault. As well as the enormous reduction. Moscow has actually coped with these type of problems in the final few years with house as well as subway bombings, so they are as troubled to get rid of this threat as we are actually. Yet all-time low series is actually that there are actually really good individuals all over who want to live in peace. I go through that a little one asked, "United States is actually so great to various other nations, our company always assist everyone, how can they hate our company so much?".I really hope the instance of teamwork and also count on that this spacecraft plus all people in the plan display daily are going to sooner or later influence the rest of the planet to function similarly. They must!Unfortunately, our company will not be piloting over the United States while folks are actually igniting candles. Don't know if our experts can see that anyway. Our experts carried out, nevertheless, see a really uncommon and wonderful attraction a few mins ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our experts were surpassing it and it appeared concerning 3 mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine struck our station, so it was still at night. It looked like a big comet along with a right, large tail silhouetted against the black earth below. Regardless of some bad lights for a while as the sunlight hit our home window at a low viewpoint, I dealt with some online video of it as initially our company passed the spacecraft, and after that watched it begin to mesmerize as it got elevation as well as speed. I recorded up until primary engine cutoff and enhancer separation occurred just as our team approached sunup on the Himalayas. A remarkable attraction in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle goes on, even in space. Our team're here to keep ... Frank.