.Editor's Note: The following is the message of a character coming from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reassessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created significantly regarding specifics of the objective throughout the month I have actually been actually listed here, primarily for pair of causes: the 1st being that there has been actually very little opportunity to carry out that sort of composing, as well as the second thing is given that I'm not sure how relaxed I am actually sharing thoughts I provide family and friends along with the remainder of the planet.Properly, clearly the globe changed today. What I state or perform is quite small compared to the importance of what happened to our country today when it was assaulted by ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I suspect. Challenging to recognize at whom to guide our temper and also anxiety ...I had only completed a variety of duties today, the most time-consuming being the physical examinations of all crew members. In a personal talk observing that, the trip doctor told me they were possessing an incredibly poor day on the ground. I had no concept ...He defined the situation to me as absolute best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was stunned, then horrified. My very first thought was actually that this had not been a genuine discussion, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely didn't appear possible on this scale in our nation. I couldn't also visualize the particulars, also prior to the headlines of further devastation started coming in.Vladimir came by fairly swiftly, noticing that one thing really significant was actually being actually discussed. I waved Michael into the component at the same time. They were additionally blown away as well as stunned. After our experts authorized off, I tried to detail to Vladimir and also Michael as absolute best I could the potential immensity of this particular act of terror in downtown New york as well as at the Pentagon. They accurately knew and also were actually extremely supportive.I eyed the World Map on the computer to find where over the planet we were and also discovered that our team were actually happening southeast away from Canada and also would certainly be actually overlooking New England in a few mins. I zoomed around the station until I found a home window that would give me a view of NYC and nabbed the nearest cam. It took place to become a camera, and I was actually appearing south coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have a strange flower to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the city. After checking out some of the newspaper article we merely acquired, I believe our experts were examining NY around the amount of time of, or soon after, the collapse of the 2nd high rise. Just how dreadful ...I scanned the electronic camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to view if I could observe any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, but absolutely nothing showed up.It was actually fairly challenging to think of job after that, though our team possessed some to do, but on the following track our experts crossed the United States further south. All three of us were working 1 or 2 cameras to try to obtain viewpoints of New York or Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no specific source can be observed. It all appeared amazing coming from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can't think of the terrible settings on the ground.Aside from the psychological effect of our country being actually attacked and also hundreds of our citizens as well as possibly some good friends being actually gotten rid of, the absolute most difficult emotion being actually where I am actually is among isolation.Next time ... I guess the tiredness and also psychological pressure received the most ideal of me. I could not keep awake as well as continue to compose. Today was still challenging, however we began obtaining more relevant information, plus we possessed the honor of chatting straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that guaranteed our team that the ground teams would remain to work as well as guarantee our safety, and also the risk-free operation of the Place. Our company additionally heard from our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the companions in the Program are actually all entirely devoted to continuing safe procedures and help. These were never ever inquiries for me. I know all these folks! The ground teams have actually been actually extremely supportive, incredibly understanding of the effect of the information, and have attempted to become as useful as feasible. They have actually all been really professional as well as focused though I can't think of the distraction of this sort of news being available in and the idea that federal government buildings might be in jeopardy. They never ever missed a beat, also when transferring nerve center. And also a team of elderly workers as well as pals offered us a fairly complete instruction on what was actually recognized and what was actually being done in the government as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually incredibly helpful and also type of all of them to carry out in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been helpful and useful, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our personal possessions were inoperable, and mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been wonderful, also. They understand it's been actually a tough day for me as well as the individuals on the ground, as well as they have actually attempted to become as also keeled as well as helpful as possible. Michael also corrected me my favored Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they offer me a lot of space to think when I required it. They are really supportive and also certainly outraged at whoever will perform this.I recognize so many folks in Washington, many individuals that journey to DC and also NYC, plenty of that are actually aviators, that I felt sure I would certainly acquire at the very least a few pieces of bad news over the upcoming couple of days. I obtained the very first one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that struck the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I found Chic throughout cadet summer when our company were in the D&B with each other, and our team had bunches of courses all together. I can not envision what he must of experienced, and also right now I hear that he may have risen additionally than we may also think about through potentially stopping his plane coming from being the one to deal with the White Residence. What a terrible loss, however I make sure Chic was dealing with bravely to the end. As well as rips don't stream the very same in space ...It's difficult to define exactly how it experiences to be the only United States fully off the world at once such as this. The sensation that I need to exist with all of you, dealing with this, assisting somehow, is actually mind-boggling. I know that we are on the limit (or past) of a horrible change in the history of the world. Many points will definitely never ever be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Not just for the thousands as well as lots of people directly had an effect on by these horrible acts of violence, but most likely for everyone. Our team will locate our own selves experiencing differently regarding dozens of points, including probably area expedition, however.It is actually unpleasant to find smoke cigarettes pouring coming from wounds in your very own country coming from such an awesome perspective. The duality of performing a space capsule dedicated to enhancing daily life on the earth as well as enjoying life being ruined by such witting, awful actions is jolting to the subconscious, regardless of that you are actually. And also the knowledge that whatever are going to be various than when our team released due to the opportunity we land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and also in our management that our experts are going to carry out every thing achievable to much better defend her and our families, and to bring fair treatment wherefore has actually been actually carried out. I possess peace of mind that the great individuals at NASA will do every thing needed to continue our purpose safely and return us carefully at the right time. And also I miss out on every one of you very much. I can't exist with you face to face, as well as we have a very long way to go to complete our mission, however be actually particular that my soul is with you, and also recognize you remain in my prayers.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... Fortunately, it is actually been actually a busy week up here. And also to prove that, like our nation, we are continuing our desired road with company as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most up to date addition to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will be released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (United States time), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a port certainly never utilized before on the nadir edge of the Company Module. This brand new component will certainly offer our team yet another place to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and will certainly deliver a huge airlock with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which we will perform a few of prior to our experts get home.The complication just before in handling this week was actually inadequate headlines. The problem today is actually too much. It came at one time when email was actually recovered, and also there's inadequate opportunity to review all of it! Plus it is actually too hard to deal with all of it at the same time. Yet I appreciate acquiring it, and I definitely value the excellent characters of assistance and friendly relationship I am obtaining.We are doing well aboard, receiving our work performed, and talking about points. Final night our experts possessed a lengthy dialogue over supper concerning the importance of these events, the possible activities to adhere to, and also what should be performed. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every email he acquired coming from close friends in Russia claimed particularly to tell me just how sorry they were actually that this occurred, expanding their condolences, as well as inquiring just how I was actually performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are considerably too lengthy to pronounce effortlessly.) Extremely types people.For the final two times, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to transmit online programs of broadcast information regarding the event and also associated stories, to be sure I was actually effectively educated. Every specialist that has actually begun free throw line to explain a technique or a trouble has at some point prolonged greetings to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that because of the wedding of remembrance in the United States, all the time people had actually been carrying flowers and lining all the wall structures of the US consular office in Moscow, and this evening they were igniting candlesticks in the street outside the consulate. Just how the world has actually modified.People everywhere seem to be to realize the senselessness and also horror in this particular assault. As well as the significant reduction. Moscow has actually handled these kind of issues in the last handful of years along with home as well as train bombings, so they are as anxious to do away with this risk as we are. Yet all-time low product line is that there are actually great folks anywhere that want to live in tranquility. I review that a little one inquired, "The United States is therefore really good to other countries, our company consistently aid everyone, just how can they dislike our team a lot?".I really hope the example of participation and also depend on that this space capsule and all people in the course show daily are going to sooner or later motivate the remainder of the globe to work similarly. They must!Regrettably, we will not be actually flighting over the United States during the time people are igniting candles. Don't understand if our experts could possibly view that in any case. Our team carried out, having said that, see a quite unusual and gorgeous view a handful of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our experts were actually surpassing it and it emerged concerning 3 mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sun struck our terminal, so it was actually still unaware. It looked like a huge comet with a directly, broad rear silhouetted against the darker planet below. Regardless of some negative lighting for a while as the sunshine attacked our window at a reduced viewpoint, I took care of some video of it as to begin with we passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it start to mesmerize as it gained altitude as well as velocity. I shot till principal motor cutoff and booster splitting up occurred just like our company came close to sunup on the Mountain ranges. An unforgettable sight in an unforgettable week ...Lifestyle takes place, also precede. Our team're here to remain ... Frank.