.Publisher's Keep in mind: The following is actually the content 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 created quite about specifics of this particular objective throughout the month I have actually been actually listed below, mainly for two causes: the initial being that there has actually been actually quite little bit of opportunity to perform that type of creating, as well as secondly since I am actually not exactly sure how relaxed I am discussing notions I provide family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Properly, obviously the world altered today. What I point out or even do is very small matched up to the value of what happened to our country today when it was actually assaulted by ... through whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I reckon. Tough to know at whom to guide our temper as well as fear ...I had actually merely finished a variety of jobs today, the absolute most lengthy being the physical examinations of all team participants. In an exclusive chat following that, the air travel specialist told me they were possessing a really negative day on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He illustrated the circumstance to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually overwhelmed, at that point frightened. My 1st thought was that this wasn't a genuine conversation, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely didn't appear achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I could not even visualize the particulars, also before the headlines of additional devastation began coming in.Vladimir came by rather promptly, noticing that something very serious was actually being covered. I swung Michael in to the component as well. They were actually additionally astounded and stunned. After our experts authorized off, I made an effort to discuss to Vladimir and also Michael as ideal I could possibly the possible measurement of this particular act of terror in downtown New york and also at the Government. They plainly knew and were very thoughtful.I glanced at the World Map on the computer system to find where over the world our company were actually as well as noticed that our experts were actually coming southeast out of Canada and will be passing over New England in a couple of minutes. I zoomed around the station till I located a window that would offer me a scenery of New York City as well as ordered the closest electronic camera. It occurred to become a video camera, as well as I was looking south from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have a strange bloom to it at the base of the column that was streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reading among the news articles our team only received, I believe our experts were looking at NY around the amount of time of, or even soon after, the crash of the 2nd tower. Exactly how awful ...I scanned the electronic camera the whole time the East Coast to the south to observe if I can view every other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, but nothing was visible.It was actually pretty challenging to think about work after that, though our company had some to do, yet on the following track we crossed the United States further south. All three of us were actually operating one or two electronic cameras to make an effort to receive scenery of New York or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no details resource can be found. Everything appeared unbelievable from a couple of hundred miles away. I can not picture the tragic settings on the ground.Apart from the emotional impact of our nation being tackled and lots of our residents and maybe some close friends being gotten rid of, the most difficult emotion being actually where I am is one of isolation.Next day ... I guess the exhaustion and psychological stress received the very best of me. I could not remain awake as well as remain to create. Today was still hard, yet our experts began receiving additional relevant information, plus our team had the honor of talking directly along with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground groups would certainly remain to operate as well as guarantee our safety, along with the secure function of the Station. Our team additionally heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the companions in the Plan are all totally committed to carrying on risk-free procedures and help. These were actually never inquiries for me. I know all these individuals! The ground groups have actually been very helpful, extremely understanding of the influence of the updates, as well as have actually attempted to become as handy as feasible. They have all been actually very qualified and also centered though I can't envision the distraction of the kind of headlines coming in and the thought and feelings that authorities buildings could be in jeopardy. They never missed a beat, also when transferring nerve center. And a group of elderly staffs as well as friends gave our company a rather complete instruction about what was actually recognized as well as what was being performed in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was incredibly practical and kind of them to accomplish in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been actually supportive as well as practical, making an effort to uplink news articles when our personal resources were inoperable, and also stating kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been great, also. They know it's been actually a difficult time for me and the people on the ground, and also they have actually attempted to become as even keeled as well as handy as possible. Michael also corrected me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And they offer me plenty of space to believe when I needed it. They are incredibly supportive as well as naturally outraged at whoever will perform this.I understand a lot of folks in Washington, many individuals who take a trip to DC and also NYC, numerous who are actually pilots, that I really felt certain I would certainly get at the very least a couple of items of trouble over the upcoming handful of days. I obtained the 1st one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that hit the Government was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic in the course of plebe summer months when our company were in the D&B together, as well as our company had lots of lessons together. I can not envision what he needs to of looked at, and also currently I hear that he may possess risen further than our team may even think of by possibly stopping his airplane from being actually the one to tackle the White Residence. What a horrible loss, but I make certain Chic was dealing with fearlessly throughout. As well as tears do not flow the exact same precede ...It is actually challenging to explain exactly how it feels to be the only American fully off the world at once like this. The emotion that I need to be there along with each one of you, handling this, helping somehow, is actually mind-boggling. I understand that our team get on the threshold (or even past) of a horrible change in the past history of the globe. Several points will never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not only for the 1000s and countless individuals straight influenced through these ghastly process of terrorism, yet perhaps for everybody. We will certainly locate our own selves really feeling in a different way concerning dozens of traits, consisting of probably area exploration, regrettably.It's awful to find smoke pouring from injuries in your personal country from such a superb vantage point. The duality of being on a space probe devoted to strengthening everyday life on the planet as well as viewing lifestyle being destroyed by such witting, awful acts is jolting to the mind, despite that you are actually. And also the understanding that everything are going to be actually various than when we launched by the opportunity we land is actually a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation and also in our leadership that our team will definitely perform everything achievable to better defend her as well as our family members, and to take justice for what has actually been performed. I have peace of mind that the great individuals at NASA will definitely perform everything needed to continue our purpose safely and securely as well as return our company properly at the right time. As well as I overlook each of you quite. I can't be there with you personally, and also our experts possess a very long way to visit accomplish our goal, however be actually particular that my soul is actually along with you, and also know you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Thankfully, it's been a hectic full week up here. And to prove that, like our nation, our company are continuing on our desired path along with company as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most recent addition to the station, the Russian Docking Area will definitely be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States opportunity), it will dock with our team, at a port never used prior to on the nadir edge of the Service Module. This brand new element will certainly give our company one more location to dock a Development or even Soyuz as well as will deliver a big airlock along with 2 useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our team will certainly do a few of prior to our company return.The complication just before in managing this week was actually inadequate headlines. The trouble today is actually excessive. It came simultaneously when e-mail was actually rejuvenated, and also there is actually inadequate opportunity to review all of it! Plus it is actually too hard to take care of all of it at once. However I enjoy acquiring it, as well as I definitely cherish the fantastic letters of help as well as friendly relationship I am acquiring.Our experts are prospering on board, getting our job done, and speaking about factors. Last night our experts possessed a lengthy conversation over supper about the value of these events, the feasible activities to comply with, and also what need to be performed. After dinner, Michael made a point of informing me that every e-mail he obtained from pals in Russia pointed out primarily to inform me exactly how regretful they were actually that this taken place, expanding their acknowledgements, and also asking how I was actually performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are actually a lot too lengthy to pronounce effortlessly.) Incredibly type individuals.For the last 2 times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to transfer live broadcasts of broadcast updates regarding the celebration and linked tales, to be sure I was actually properly notified. Every professional that has actually come on the line to discuss a technique or even a problem contends some factor extended introductions to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the big day of remembrance in the United States, all the time individuals had actually been actually carrying blossoms and edging all the walls of the United States consulate in Moscow, and also this evening they were lighting candle lights in the street outside the consular office. Exactly how the globe has transformed.Folks almost everywhere appear to identify the senselessness as well as terror in this particular strike. As well as the incredible loss. Moscow has handled these kind of complications in the last couple of years with apartment or condo and also train bombings, so they are actually as anxious to get rid of this risk as our company are actually. Yet the bottom collection is actually that there are great people just about everywhere that intend to reside in peace. I review that a child talked to, "America is therefore really good to various other countries, our experts regularly aid everybody, how can they loathe our company a great deal?".I hope the example of participation as well as rely on that this space probe and all people in the program illustrate daily are going to sooner or later influence the rest of the globe to function similarly. They must!Unfortunately, we won't be taking flight over the US during the time folks are lighting candles. Don't recognize if our company could see that in any case. We carried out, nonetheless, view a really unusual and beautiful sight a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually overtaking it as well as it emerged regarding three mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sun struck our station, so it was still at night. It looked like a sizable comet along with a straight, broad tail silhouetted versus the dark world below. In spite of some negative illumination for some time as the sun attacked our window at a low angle, I dealt with some online video of it as to begin with we passed the spacecraft, and then enjoyed it begin to catch up as it obtained altitude and also velocity. I shot up until major motor cutoff as well as booster splitting up developed equally as our team moved toward dawn on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary sight in an unforgettable full week ...Lifestyle goes on, even in space. Our team are actually below to stay ... Frank.