.Publisher's Keep in mind: The adhering to is the text message of a character from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reflecting on the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created very much about specifics of this particular mission during the course of the month I have actually been listed here, primarily for two main reasons: the 1st being actually that there has been actually incredibly little bit of time to perform that type of composing, as well as furthermore, since I am actually not sure exactly how pleasant I am actually sharing ideas I share with friends and family along with the rest of the globe.Properly, definitely the world altered today. What I claim or even perform is actually quite minor reviewed to the value of what occurred to our nation today when it was assaulted through ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I guess. Difficult to understand at whom to guide our temper and also concern ...I had actually just ended up a number of duties today, the best lengthy being the physical examinations of all workers members. In a personal conversation complying with that, the flight cosmetic surgeon told me they were having an incredibly poor day on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He defined the circumstance to me as finest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was overwhelmed, after that alarmed. My initial thought and feelings was that this had not been a genuine chat, that I was actually still listening closely to among my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely failed to appear feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not also think of the particulars, even prior to the headlines of additional destruction started can be found in.Vladimir came over quite promptly, noticing that one thing very severe was actually being covered. I swayed Michael in to the component also. They were additionally amazed as well as stunned. After our experts signed off, I made an effort to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as finest I could the potential immensity of the show of fear in downtown New york and at the Pentagon. They clearly understood as well as were actually incredibly supportive.I browsed the Globe Map on the computer system to observe where over the planet our company were actually and also discovered that our team were actually coming southeast out of Canada and also would be actually passing over New England in a handful of minutes. I zipped around the station till I found a window that would give me a scenery of New York City as well as got the nearest video camera. It took place to be a video camera, and I was actually looking southern coming from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to be to have an odd flower to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reviewing among the news articles we simply obtained, I believe we were examining NY around the amount of time of, or even not long after, the crash of the second tower. Just how dreadful ...I scanned the video camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to see if I could view any other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually fairly difficult to consider job after that, though our company had some to do, however on the next orbit our company went across the US further southern. All 3 of us were functioning a couple of cams to try to acquire views of Nyc or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, but no specific resource might be observed. All of it looked incredible from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can not think of the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Other than the mental effect of our nation being actually tackled as well as thousands of our consumers as well as maybe some close friends being actually gotten rid of, one of the most frustrating feeling being where I am actually is just one of solitude.Following day ... I suppose the tiredness as well as psychological strain acquired the very best of me. I couldn't remain awake as well as remain to write. Today was actually still complicated, however our company started obtaining even more info, plus our team had the respect of chatting directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that guaranteed our team that the ground teams would certainly continue to operate and also ensure our safety, as well as the safe operation of the Station. Our team also learnt through our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the Plan are all completely devoted to carrying on risk-free operations as well as assistance. These were never concerns for me. I recognize all these people! The ground crews have actually been unbelievably supportive, incredibly understanding of the impact of the headlines, as well as have actually tried to become as handy as achievable. They have all been actually really expert as well as concentrated though I can't envision the disturbance of this kind of headlines being available in and the idea that authorities properties may be at risk. They certainly never skipped a beat, even when transferring nerve center. And also a group of elderly personnel as well as buddies provided our team a rather thorough briefing on what was understood and also what was being carried out in the federal government and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was extremely beneficial and also type of all of them to do in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually encouraging and helpful, trying to uplink news articles when our own assets were unusable, and also saying kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been wonderful, also. They understand it's been actually a tough time for me as well as the folks on the ground, as well as they have actually made an effort to become as even keeled and also handy as feasible. Michael even corrected me my preferred Borscht soup for dinner. And they give me loads of room to assume when I needed it. They are incredibly supportive and also certainly shocked at whoever will perform this.I know plenty of people in Washington, so many individuals that journey to DC and also NYC, so many that are aviators, that I felt certain I will get a minimum of a few parts of problem over the next few times. I got the initial one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I encountered Chic throughout cadet summer months when we were in the D&B with each other, and our company possessed bunches of training class together. I can't envision what he must of undergone, as well as now I hear that he might possess climbed even more than our team can easily also consider by potentially stopping his plane from being the one to attack the White Home. What a horrible reduction, yet I'm sure Chic was fighting bravely to the end. As well as rips do not flow the exact same in space ...It is actually tough to describe just how it feels to be the only American completely off the world at a time such as this. The sensation that I need to be there with each of you, taking care of this, assisting somehow, is actually frustrating. I understand that we get on the limit (or beyond) of an awful change in the background of the planet. Many things are going to never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the manies thousand and also countless folks directly had an effect on through these horrendous process of violence, but perhaps for we all. Our team will certainly discover our own selves feeling differently concerning lots of factors, featuring probably room exploration, however.It's horrendous to observe smoke cigarettes putting from injuries in your very own nation coming from such a wonderful perspective. The duality of performing a spacecraft committed to boosting life on the planet as well as enjoying life being destroyed through such deliberate, dreadful acts is jolting to the subconscious, despite that you are actually. As well as the understanding that everything will be different than when our team launched by the time our team land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and in our leadership that our company will definitely carry out whatever achievable to much better protect her and our loved ones, and to carry justice for what has actually been actually performed. I have peace of mind that the good individuals at NASA will definitely carry out every thing required to continue our purpose carefully and return our team safely and securely at the correct time. As well as I skip every one of you quite. I can not exist with you personally, and also our experts have a long way to visit finish our goal, yet be specific that my center is actually with you, and understand you remain in my petitions.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Thankfully, it is actually been actually a busy week up below. And to verify that, like our nation, our experts are actually continuing our planned path along with organization as usual (as much as feasible). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Area will definitely be actually released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States time), it will certainly dock along with us, at a port never ever made use of just before on the nadir edge of the Service Module. This new element will definitely provide us yet another location to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and will supply a large airlock along with pair of able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan suits, which we will perform a few of just before we come home.The complication prior to in coping with this week was actually insufficient headlines. The trouble today is way too much. It arrived simultaneously when e-mail was actually restored, and there's inadequate opportunity to review it all! Plus it is actually also hard to cope with all of it at the same time. Yet I value receiving it, as well as I really appreciate the fantastic characters of assistance as well as friendship I am actually receiving.We are flourishing aboard, getting our work performed, and talking about factors. Last evening we had a lengthy discussion over dinner regarding the importance of these activities, the achievable activities to observe, as well as what ought to be done. After dinner, Michael resolved informing me that every email he received from friends in Russia said specifically to tell me how regretful they were actually that this happened, expanding their condolences, as well as asking exactly how I was actually performing. Vladimir taught me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English words are a lot very lengthy to verbalize simply.) Very kind people.For the last two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to send live shows of radio news concerning the event and associated accounts, to be sure I was properly educated. Every professional who has actually started free throw line to cover a treatment or a concern contends some aspect stretched introductions to me along with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that as a result of the big day of remembrance in the US, all the time individuals had been bringing florals and also lining all the wall structures of the United States embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were igniting candle lights in the street outside the consulate. Just how the world has actually modified.Folks anywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and horror in this assault. As well as the incredible loss. Moscow has dealt with these kind of complications in the last few years along with house and also train battles, so they are as troubled to get rid of this danger as our experts are actually. However all-time low collection is actually that there are actually good individuals almost everywhere who intend to live in tranquility. I read through that a child talked to, "The United States is thus excellent to other countries, our company always aid everybody, just how can they hate our company a great deal?".I wish the instance of collaboration and trust that this space probe plus all people in the program demonstrate daily are going to one day encourage the remainder of the globe to work the same way. They must!Unfortunately, our team will not be actually taking flight over the US while people are lighting candles. Don't know if our company could possibly view that anyhow. We performed, nonetheless, see an extremely unusual and also gorgeous attraction a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our company were actually surpassing it and also it appeared regarding 3 minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight reached our station, so it was still unaware. It appeared like a sizable comet along with a directly, vast rear silhouetted against the black planet beneath. In spite of some negative lights for some time as the sun struck our home window at a low perspective, I handled some video recording of it as initially we passed the rocket, and then watched it begin to catch up as it got altitude and also rate. I shot up until major motor cutoff and also booster separation happened equally we came close to daybreak on the Himalayas. A remarkable attraction in a remarkable full week ...Lifestyle goes on, even precede. We are actually below to remain ... Frank.