.Publisher's Note: The following is the message of a letter from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reflecting on the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed significantly about specifics of this goal during the month I've been listed below, mostly for 2 causes: the first being actually that there has actually been actually incredibly little bit of opportunity to carry out that sort of composing, as well as second of all given that I'm not sure just how relaxed I am discussing thoughts I share with family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Effectively, obviously the planet altered today. What I claim or even carry out is actually very slight reviewed to the significance of what occurred to our nation today when it was attacked through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I reckon. Hard to understand at whom to guide our rage as well as anxiety ...I had merely ended up a lot of tasks today, the most time-consuming being the physical exams of all workers members. In a private chat complying with that, the trip cosmetic surgeon told me they were actually having a very negative day on the ground. I had no idea ...He defined the scenario to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was overwhelmed, at that point horrified. My 1st thought was that this had not been an actual talk, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It simply really did not seem achievable on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't even envision the particulars, also prior to the news of further destruction began coming in.Vladimir came over rather quickly, sensing that one thing incredibly significant was being explained. I waved Michael into the module as well. They were actually also blown away as well as stunned. After our company authorized off, I attempted to describe to Vladimir and also Michael as best I can the possible size of this show of horror in midtown New york and at the Pentagon. They clearly understood as well as were extremely understanding.I browsed the Globe Chart on the computer to find where over the globe we were actually and also noticed that our company were actually happening southeast out of Canada as well as would certainly be actually skipping New England in a few mins. I zoomed around the terminal till I located a home window that would certainly offer me a perspective of New York City and ordered the closest electronic camera. It happened to become a camera, as well as I was appearing southern from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have an odd flower to it at the bottom of the column that was streaming south of the urban area. After reading through among the newspaper article our company simply got, I believe our team were checking out NY around the moment of, or soon after, the collapse of the second tower. Exactly how terrible ...I swung the camera the whole time the East Coast to the south to find if I could possibly observe some other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing was visible.It was rather complicated to think of work after that, though our team had some to do, but on the next orbit our experts went across the US further south. All three people were actually working a couple of electronic cameras to attempt to get sights of New york city or Washington. There was fog over Washington, however no specific resource may be seen. Everything looked extraordinary coming from a couple of hundred kilometers away. I can not picture the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Apart from the mental impact of our country being actually dealt with and also thousands of our residents and also perhaps some pals being killed, the absolute most mind-boggling feeling being actually where I am actually is among solitude.Next time ... I reckon the tiredness and also psychological strain acquired the most effective of me. I couldn't keep awake and also continue to write. Today was still complicated, yet our team began obtaining additional information, plus our experts had the respect of speaking straight with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured our company that the ground crews would certainly remain to operate and guarantee our protection, in addition to the safe procedure of the Place. Our team likewise talked to our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who included that the partners in the Course are actually all entirely devoted to carrying on secure procedures and also help. These were certainly never concerns for me. I recognize all these people! The ground groups have actually been actually exceptionally supporting, quite understanding of the impact of the information, and also have actually attempted to be as handy as achievable. They have actually all been actually incredibly specialist and also focused though I can't picture the disturbance of this kind of updates coming in and the thought and feelings that government buildings might be in danger. They never missed a beat, even when moving control centers. And a team of elderly employees as well as close friends offered us a fairly extensive rundown about what was known as well as what was actually being actually carried out in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually very handy as well as type of them to carry out in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has actually also been actually encouraging and beneficial, trying to uplink news articles when our very own properties were actually unusable, as well as mentioning kind words ...My crewmates have been actually wonderful, as well. They recognize it's been a hard time for me and the individuals on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to become as even keeled and also valuable as possible. Michael even fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they provide me plenty of room to think when I required it. They are actually really sympathetic and obviously shocked at whoever would certainly perform this.I know many folks in Washington, a lot of individuals that travel to DC and NYC, a lot of who are actually captains, that I really felt sure I would receive at the very least a few parts of bad news over the upcoming couple of times. I received the initial one today when I knew that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that reached the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic throughout cadet summer when our experts remained in the D&B all together, and we possessed bunches of lessons with each other. I can't envision what he has to of experienced, as well as now I hear that he might possess climbed even further than our experts can also think about by potentially preventing his plane from being the one to attack the White Property. What a terrible reduction, however I'm sure Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. As well as tears don't circulate the very same in space ...It is actually complicated to explain how it feels to become the only American entirely off the planet at a time including this. The emotion that I ought to exist with all of you, dealing with this, assisting somehow, is actually difficult. I understand that we perform the limit (or even past) of a horrendous switch in the background of the globe. Numerous points will never ever coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not just for the 1000s as well as countless individuals straight affected through these ghastly process of terrorism, but perhaps for everyone. Our company will find our own selves really feeling in a different way about dozens of factors, including most likely area expedition, unfortunately.It's horrible to find smoke cigarettes pouring coming from wounds in your own nation coming from such a superb angle. The dichotomy of performing a space capsule devoted to improving everyday life on the earth and also watching life being destroyed by such purposeful, horrible process is actually jolting to the psyche, regardless of that you are actually. And also the understanding that every little thing will definitely be various than when our experts released due to the opportunity we land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our country and in our management that our experts will definitely carry out whatever achievable to far better protect her as well as our family members, as well as to carry justice for what has actually been performed. I possess self-confidence that the good folks at NASA will definitely perform every little thing needed to proceed our objective properly and return our company securely at the correct time. And I miss out on every one of you very much. I can not exist with you face to face, and our company possess a long way to head to accomplish our objective, but be particular that my heart is along with you, as well as recognize you are in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final letter ... Luckily, it's been actually an occupied week up listed below. As well as to verify that, like our country, we are actually continuing on our designated road along with service as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the place, the Russian Docking Chamber will be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (US opportunity), it will certainly dock with our team, at a port never ever made use of before on the nadir edge of the Company Module. This brand-new component will definitely offer us an additional place to dock a Progress or Soyuz and also will definitely offer a sizable airlock along with pair of useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our team will perform a few of just before we come home.The complication just before in dealing with recently was actually insufficient news. The problem today is actually a lot of. It came all at once when e-mail was actually brought back, and also there is actually insufficient time to read all of it! Plus it's as well difficult to handle all of it immediately. But I appreciate obtaining it, as well as I truly appreciate the fantastic characters of support as well as friendly relationship I am obtaining.Our team are doing well on board, obtaining our work performed, and discussing traits. Final evening our team possessed a long conversation over dinner about the significance of these events, the feasible activities to adhere to, and what need to be carried out. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every e-mail he acquired from pals in Russia mentioned exclusively to tell me just how regretful they were actually that this occurred, expanding their condolences, and asking exactly how I was actually doing. Vladimir showed me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English phrases are a lot very lengthy to articulate conveniently.) Really types people.For the final two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to broadcast real-time broadcasts of radio information regarding the event and linked accounts, to ensure I was well updated. Every specialist who has started the line to discuss a technique or even a complication contends some point expanded hellos to me with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the big day of recognition in the US, all the time people had actually been taking blooms and also lining all the wall structures of the US consulate in Moscow, and this evening they were lighting candle lights in the street outside the consulate. How the globe has actually modified.Individuals just about everywhere appear to identify the senselessness and also scary in this assault. And the incredible loss. Moscow has actually handled these sort of problems in the last few years along with flat and also metro battles, so they are actually as anxious to get rid of this danger as our company are actually. Yet all-time low series is that there are actually great individuals almost everywhere who want to stay in peace. I go through that a little one asked, "America is actually therefore really good to other nations, our experts consistently help everybody, exactly how can they loathe us a great deal?".I hope the example of participation and depend on that this space capsule and all individuals in the system show daily are going to sooner or later inspire the remainder of the planet to operate the same way. They must!Regrettably, our experts will not be actually flighting over the US during the time individuals are igniting candlesticks. Don't understand if we might see that in any case. Our company performed, having said that, find an extremely unusual and also stunning attraction a handful of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were overtaking it and also it appeared concerning three moments after its launch from Baikonur as the sun struck our terminal, so it was still unaware. It resembled a sizable comet along with a right, large tail silhouetted against the black world beneath. Despite some bad lights for some time as the sunlight struck our window at a low viewpoint, I took care of some video of it as to begin with our team passed the rocket, and then viewed it start to mesmerize as it obtained elevation and speed. I filmed till primary motor deadline and also booster splitting up occurred equally as our team came close to sunrise on the Himalayas. An extraordinary attraction in an unforgettable full week ...Lifestyle goes on, also in space. Our team're below to remain ... Frank.