.Editor's Note: The adhering to is the text message of a letter coming from Trip 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reviewing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written quite concerning specifics of the mission throughout the month I have actually been actually right here, generally for pair of factors: the first being that there has been actually really little bit of opportunity to accomplish that type of composing, and also also considering that I'm not exactly sure just how pleasant I am sharing notions I show to family and friends with the rest of the world.Properly, clearly the world changed today. What I say or perform is actually quite small reviewed to the value of what took place to our country today when it was assaulted by ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I reckon. Tough to know at whom to drive our rage and also fear ...I had actually simply completed a variety of duties this morning, the absolute most taxing being the physical exams of all workers members. In a private discussion adhering to that, the flight surgeon informed me they were actually possessing a really bad day on the ground. I had no tip ...He explained the scenario to me as ideal he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually overwhelmed, after that terrified. My first notion was that this had not been a real chat, that I was actually still listening to among my Tom Clancy strips. It merely really did not seem to be achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't also visualize the particulars, also prior to the information of additional destruction began coming in.Vladimir came over fairly promptly, noticing that one thing very serious was actually being talked about. I waved Michael in to the element at the same time. They were additionally blown away as well as stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to clarify to Vladimir and Michael as best I might the possible enormity of the act of terror in downtown Manhattan as well as at the Government. They clearly comprehended and were extremely sympathetic.I eyed the Planet Map on the computer system to observe where over the planet our company were as well as noticed that we were actually coming southeast out of Canada and also would be overlooking New England in a handful of minutes. I zipped around the station until I discovered a home window that would certainly offer me a perspective of New York City and also got the nearby electronic camera. It took place to become a video camera, and I was actually looking south coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to be to have a weird bloom to it at the bottom of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the area. After reading one of the newspaper article we just obtained, I think our company were actually looking at NY around the time of, or quickly after, the collapse of the 2nd tower. Just how awful ...I scanned the video camera during the East Coastline to the south to see if I might observe any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing was visible.It was actually rather challenging to think about job afterwards, though our team possessed some to do, yet on the next orbit we traversed the US more south. All three of us were working a couple of cameras to attempt to acquire perspectives of New York or Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, yet no details source might be viewed. Everything looked fabulous coming from two to three hundred miles away. I can't think of the awful settings on the ground.Apart from the mental impact of our country being actually tackled and also thousands of our consumers and also maybe some pals being actually killed, the best frustrating emotion being actually where I am actually is among solitude.Following time ... I think the tiredness as well as emotional strain got the most effective of me. I couldn't keep awake and continue to write. Today was actually still hard, yet our experts started acquiring additional information, plus we possessed the tribute of talking directly along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground staffs would remain to function and ensure our safety, along with the secure operation of the Station. We additionally heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the System are actually all absolutely devoted to carrying on safe operations as well as support. These were actually never questions for me. I know all these individuals! The ground teams have been actually astonishingly helpful, incredibly understanding of the effect of the information, as well as have actually made an effort to become as valuable as feasible. They have actually all been actually extremely expert and also focused though I can not picture the diversion of this particular type of information coming in and the thought and feelings that government buildings might be in danger. They never ever missed a beat, even when relocating nerve center. As well as a group of elderly staffs and also pals offered our company a quite comprehensive rundown on what was understood and what was actually being carried out in the federal government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually extremely beneficial as well as kind of them to perform in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has actually also been supportive and also valuable, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our own resources were unusable, and also pointing out kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually terrific, as well. They understand it's been actually a difficult day for me and the people on the ground, as well as they have actually tried to be as also keeled and valuable as feasible. Michael even fixed me my favored Borscht soup for supper. As well as they provide me a lot of space to believe when I needed it. They are actually very considerate and obviously outraged at whoever would perform this.I understand many people in Washington, plenty of folks that journey to DC and also New York City, so many who are captains, that I experienced sure I will get at the very least a few parts of trouble over the upcoming couple of days. I received the initial one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that hit the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic in the course of cadet summer when our company were in the D&B with each other, as well as we possessed great deals of training class all together. I can't envision what he needs to of experienced, as well as now I listen to that he might have increased better than our experts may also think about through possibly preventing his aircraft from being the one to tackle the White House. What an awful loss, but I make certain Chic was dealing with bravely throughout. And also tears do not flow the same precede ...It is actually challenging to define just how it experiences to be the only United States entirely off the planet at once including this. The emotion that I ought to exist with all of you, taking care of this, assisting in some way, is overwhelming. I know that we are on the threshold (or even past) of an awful change in the history of the globe. Lots of things are going to never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the thousands and also countless folks straight impacted by these hideous actions of terrorism, however most likely for everyone. Our experts will certainly find ourselves feeling differently regarding loads of things, including probably room exploration, sadly.It's horrible to view smoke cigarettes pouring from wounds in your very own country coming from such an excellent point of view. The dichotomy of getting on a spacecraft dedicated to improving live on the earth and also enjoying life being ruined by such deliberate, horrible process is actually jolting to the mind, despite that you are. And also the understanding that every thing will definitely be different than when we released due to the time our team land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our management that our company will perform everything feasible to far better protect her and also our households, as well as to carry justice of what has been done. I have self-confidence that the really good people at NASA will carry out whatever important to proceed our objective safely and also return our company carefully at the correct time. And also I miss out on each of you quite. I can not exist with you in person, as well as our team possess a long way to visit finish our objective, yet be particular that my soul is actually along with you, as well as know you remain in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Thankfully, it's been actually a hectic week up right here. As well as to show that, like our nation, our experts are actually advancing our intended path with company as usual (as long as achievable). Tonight the latest addition to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our company, at a slot never ever made use of just before on the low point side of the Company Module. This brand-new element will certainly offer our team yet another location to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also are going to give a big airlock along with 2 useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our company will carry out a few of before our experts get home.The trouble just before in coping with today was too little headlines. The complication now is actually way too much. It came all at once when e-mail was actually repaired, as well as there's not nearly enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it's too challenging to deal with all of it at the same time. Yet I enjoy getting it, and I really appreciate the wonderful letters of assistance and also relationship I am actually acquiring.Our company are succeeding on board, receiving our job carried out, and speaking about traits. Final night our company possessed a lengthy discussion over dinner regarding the implication of these events, the feasible activities to comply with, as well as what ought to be done. After dinner, Michael challenged telling me that every e-mail he obtained coming from pals in Russia claimed primarily to tell me just how regretful they were that this happened, stretching their acknowledgements, and also inquiring how I was doing. Vladimir educated me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Area. (Both the Russian and the English words are a lot very lengthy to pronounce quickly.) Extremely kind folks.For the final two days, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to send live broadcasts of broadcast headlines about the occasion as well as affiliated tales, to see to it I was actually well educated. Every professional who has actually started the line to talk about a treatment or even a trouble has at some factor expanded greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that as a result of the special day of recognition in the United States, all the time individuals had actually been actually delivering blossoms and also lining all the wall structures of the United States embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were lighting candle lights in the road outside the consulate. Exactly how the planet has actually altered.Folks everywhere seem to be to identify the senselessness and also horror in this assault. And also the remarkable reduction. Moscow has actually coped with these type of complications in the final few years along with house as well as train bombings, so they are as distressed to do away with this hazard as our team are actually. However all-time low collection is actually that there are actually good individuals all over that would like to live in peace. I go through that a child inquired, "United States is actually so good to other nations, our company always assist everybody, just how can they detest us a great deal?".I wish the instance of participation and also trust that this space probe plus all individuals in the plan display daily are going to sooner or later inspire the remainder of the world to work similarly. They must!Unfortunately, our company will not be taking flight over the US during the time folks are actually lighting candles. Do not know if our experts could find that anyway. Our experts carried out, having said that, see a really unusual as well as attractive attraction a couple of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our experts were actually eclipsing it and it appeared regarding three mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sun attacked our terminal, so it was still in the dark. It resembled a big comet along with a straight, vast rear silhouetted versus the dark earth below. In spite of some negative lighting fixtures for a while as the sun struck our home window at a low position, I handled some video of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and after that watched it start to catch up as it acquired elevation and speed. I shot until principal engine deadline and also enhancer separation happened equally our experts came close to daybreak on the Himalayas. A memorable sight in a remarkable week ...Life goes on, even in space. Our company are actually listed here to stay ... Frank.