.Editor's Keep in mind: The following is the text of a letter from Expedition Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reviewing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created significantly about specifics of this particular mission in the course of the month I have actually been actually here, mainly for two explanations: the initial being actually that there has actually been really little bit of time to carry out that sort of writing, as well as furthermore, due to the fact that I am actually not exactly sure just how comfy I am discussing notions I show friends and family along with the rest of the globe.Well, definitely the planet altered today. What I point out or even carry out is actually extremely small contrasted to the importance of what took place to our country today when it was struck by ... by whom? Terrorists is all we understand, I suspect. Hard to know at whom to drive our anger as well as anxiety ...I had actually only ended up a lot of duties today, the best lengthy being the physical exams of all workers members. In a personal talk observing that, the tour specialist informed me they were having a really negative day on the ground. I had no concept ...He defined the circumstance to me as finest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was amazed, after that terrified. My initial thought and feelings was that this wasn't a genuine discussion, that I was actually still listening closely to among my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely didn't seem to be feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not also envision the details, even before the headlines of additional damage began can be found in.Vladimir came over quite promptly, picking up that one thing very serious was being actually talked about. I swung Michael in to the module as well. They were actually additionally impressed and stunned. After our company signed off, I made an effort to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as finest I can the potential immensity of this particular act of horror in midtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They plainly understood and were quite thoughtful.I eyed the Planet Chart on the computer to view where over the globe we were and noticed that we were coming southeast away from Canada and also would certainly be actually overlooking New England in a handful of mins. I zipped around the station till I located a home window that would certainly offer me a viewpoint of NYC as well as got hold of the nearby camera. It took place to become a camera, as well as I was appearing southern coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have a weird blossom to it at the bottom of the pillar that was streaming south of the urban area. After reading one of the news articles our experts merely got, I believe our team were examining NY around the moment of, or quickly after, the failure of the 2nd tower. Just how unpleasant ...I scanned the video camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to view if I can find some other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however absolutely nothing showed up.It was actually fairly tough to think about job after that, though our experts possessed some to carry out, however on the next orbit our team went across the United States further southern. All three of us were actually operating a couple of cams to make an effort to obtain sights of New york city or even Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, yet no particular source may be observed. It all appeared fabulous coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can not envision the awful scenes on the ground.Apart from the mental influence of our country being actually dealt with and also countless our residents and also maybe some friends being actually eliminated, one of the most frustrating emotion being actually where I am actually is among isolation.Following day ... I suppose the fatigue and psychological stress acquired the greatest of me. I could not stay awake and also continue to write. Today was still challenging, but our experts began receiving additional relevant information, plus our company had the respect of chatting directly along with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that guaranteed our company that the ground staffs would continue to operate as well as ensure our protection, as well as the safe operation of the Place. Our team also heard from our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the Plan are actually all completely committed to proceeding secure operations and support. These were actually never questions for me. I recognize all these folks! The ground groups have actually been surprisingly supporting, incredibly understanding of the effect of the information, as well as have actually attempted to be as handy as feasible. They have all been really qualified as well as focused though I can't think of the distraction of this kind of news being available in and also the notion that authorities structures could be in danger. They certainly never bypassed a beat, even when moving control centers. And also a team of elderly workers and also pals gave our company a fairly complete instruction on what was recognized as well as what was being performed in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was extremely useful and type of all of them to perform in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually supporting and practical, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our very own possessions were actually inoperable, and also mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have been terrific, too. They recognize it is actually been actually a hard day for me and the individuals on the ground, and they've made an effort to become as also keeled and also handy as achievable. Michael also repaired me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they provide me lots of area to presume when I required it. They are really understanding and certainly outraged at whoever would perform this.I recognize numerous folks in Washington, so many people who take a trip to DC and also NYC, so many that are flies, that I really felt sure I will obtain at the very least a handful of parts of problem over the next few days. I acquired the initial one today when I knew that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that attacked the Government was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I encountered Chic in the course of cadet summer months when our experts remained in the D&B with each other, and our experts had lots of classes with each other. I can't imagine what he must of undergone, as well as right now I hear that he might have risen further than our team can even think of by possibly preventing his aircraft coming from being the one to tackle the White Residence. What a horrendous reduction, however I make sure Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. And also rips do not flow the exact same precede ...It is actually complicated to illustrate just how it really feels to be the only American totally off the planet at a time including this. The feeling that I need to be there along with each of you, coping with this, helping in some way, is overwhelming. I understand that our team are on the limit (or beyond) of a terrible shift in the history of the planet. Several factors are going to never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not simply for the 1000s and also countless people directly affected through these hideous acts of violence, yet possibly for everybody. Our company are going to discover ourselves feeling in a different way regarding dozens of factors, featuring probably room expedition, however.It's dreadful to find smoke putting coming from wounds in your very own country coming from such a fantastic vantage point. The duality of performing a space capsule committed to strengthening daily life on the earth and enjoying life being damaged through such willful, terrible acts is actually jolting to the subconscious, despite who you are. And the understanding that whatever will be various than when our experts launched by the time our experts land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation and in our management that our company are going to do whatever possible to much better defend her and also our families, and to carry fair treatment of what has been carried out. I possess self-confidence that the good folks at NASA will certainly do every little thing required to proceed our mission carefully and return our company carefully at the right time. And I overlook each one of you significantly. I can not exist with you face to face, as well as we have a long way to visit complete our mission, however be particular that my center is actually with you, and know you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the last character ... Luckily, it is actually been actually a busy full week up listed here. As well as to verify that, like our country, our experts are actually continuing on our designated course along with business customarily (as much as possible). Tonight the most recent enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment are going to be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (US time), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a slot never used prior to on the nadir edge of the Solution Component. This brand new element will certainly provide our team an additional place to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also will certainly supply a large airlock along with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our experts will definitely carry out a few of just before we come home.The problem before in handling this week was actually too little information. The concern today is actually too much. It arrived all at once when e-mail was restored, and there's inadequate time to read all of it! Plus it's as well challenging to handle all of it instantly. However I appreciate obtaining it, and I definitely cherish the great letters of help and also friendly relationship I am actually acquiring.Our company are succeeding on board, obtaining our work carried out, as well as talking about points. Last night our company possessed a lengthy dialogue over supper regarding the value of these events, the possible activities to adhere to, and what need to be done. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every e-mail he acquired from buddies in Russia said exclusively to tell me just how regretful they were actually that this happened, extending their condolences, as well as talking to just how I was actually performing. Vladimir taught me the Russian term for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Urban area. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are much too long to articulate effortlessly.) Really types people.For the last 2 days, the Russian MCC has sufficed to transfer online programs of radio updates regarding the occasion and also associated accounts, to ensure I was effectively notified. Every professional who has started the line to cover a procedure or even a trouble has at some factor stretched introductions to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that as a result of the wedding day of remembrance in the US, all day individuals had been delivering blossoms and edging all the wall structures of the United States embassy in Moscow, and also this night they were actually igniting candlesticks in the road outside the consular office. How the globe has modified.Folks all over appear to realize the senselessness and also terror within this strike. And also the tremendous loss. Moscow has actually handled these sort of troubles in the last couple of years with home and subway battles, so they are as troubled to get rid of this risk as our company are. But the bottom collection is that there are actually really good individuals almost everywhere who intend to reside in peace. I read through that a youngster asked, "United States is thus good to various other countries, our company regularly aid everybody, just how can they dislike our company a great deal?".I really hope the instance of cooperation as well as count on that this space capsule plus all individuals in the system display daily will someday motivate the remainder of the planet to function the same way. They must!Unfortunately, our team won't be flying over the US while folks are actually igniting candles. Don't understand if our experts might see that anyhow. Our experts performed, having said that, view an extremely unique as well as wonderful view a handful of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. We were actually overtaking it and it appeared concerning 3 mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine struck our station, so it was still in the dark. It looked like a sizable comet along with a directly, large rear silhouetted versus the black world below. In spite of some bad illumination for some time as the sunlight reached our home window at a low position, I handled some video of it as to begin with our company passed the spacecraft, and after that viewed it start to catch up as it gained elevation and also velocity. I filmed till major engine deadline and also enhancer splitting up developed equally our experts came close to sunup on the Himalayas. A remarkable sight in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle takes place, also precede. Our company're listed here to keep ... Frank.