.Publisher's Keep in mind: The following is the text of a character from Exploration 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written significantly concerning specifics of this particular purpose during the month I've been right here, generally for pair of main reasons: the initial being actually that there has actually been actually extremely little opportunity to do that sort of writing, as well as second of all due to the fact that I am actually not sure how comfy I am actually discussing thought and feelings I share with family and friends along with the remainder of the world.Well, undoubtedly the planet transformed today. What I claim or even do is actually really small matched up to the implication of what happened to our nation today when it was actually assaulted through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we know, I suppose. Tough to understand at whom to point our anger and concern ...I had just ended up a lot of duties this morning, the best taxing being actually the physical exams of all crew members. In a private conversation adhering to that, the tour surgeon told me they were actually possessing a really negative day on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He defined the scenario to me as best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, at that point frightened. My very first thought and feelings was that this had not been a true discussion, that I was actually still paying attention to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just really did not seem feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't even visualize the particulars, also just before the updates of more damage started can be found in.Vladimir came over rather promptly, picking up that something very severe was actually being talked about. I waved Michael into the element at the same time. They were also impressed as well as stunned. After we signed off, I tried to clarify to Vladimir and Michael as absolute best I can the prospective immensity of this act of fear in downtown New york and also at the Pentagon. They plainly recognized and also were really supportive.I glanced at the Globe Chart on the computer system to see where over the planet our company were actually as well as discovered that our team were coming southeast out of Canada as well as would certainly be skipping New England in a handful of moments. I zipped around the station until I found a home window that would give me a view of NYC as well as grabbed the nearby electronic camera. It occurred to be a video camera, and also I was actually appearing south from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to be to possess an odd flower to it at the foundation of the pillar that was streaming south of the area. After reading among the newspaper article our team just received, I believe our experts were taking a look at NY around the moment of, or even shortly after, the collapse of the 2nd tower. Just how horrible ...I swept the video camera all along the East Coast to the south to see if I might find every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, however nothing was visible.It was fairly difficult to consider work after that, though our team possessed some to perform, but on the following track our company traversed the US further south. All three people were actually working one or two video cameras to attempt to acquire views of New york city or Washington. There was fog over Washington, yet no details source can be found. Everything appeared astonishing coming from a couple of hundred miles away. I can not think of the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Other than the emotional effect of our nation being attacked and hundreds of our residents and also possibly some buddies being killed, the absolute most difficult emotion being where I am is just one of seclusion.Following time ... I suppose the fatigue and psychological pressure acquired the best of me. I couldn't stay awake and remain to write. Today was actually still hard, however our experts started obtaining additional info, plus our experts possessed the honor of chatting directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who ensured our company that the ground groups would certainly continue to function and guarantee our safety and security, in addition to the risk-free function of the Station. Our team additionally heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the System are actually all totally dedicated to carrying on secure procedures and also help. These were never ever concerns for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground teams have been surprisingly helpful, incredibly understanding of the impact of the information, as well as have actually made an effort to be as beneficial as possible. They have all been very qualified and also concentrated though I can't envision the distraction of this particular kind of updates can be found in and also the notion that government structures could be in jeopardy. They never ever bypassed a beat, even when moving nerve center. And also a team of elderly staffs and friends gave us a rather in depth rundown on what was actually understood as well as what was actually being actually done in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was incredibly beneficial and sort of them to carry out in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supporting and also handy, attempting to uplink news articles when our own resources were unusable, and claiming kind words ...My crewmates have been excellent, also. They understand it's been actually a difficult time for me and also the folks on the ground, as well as they have actually tried to be as also keeled and also practical as possible. Michael even corrected me my favorite Borscht soup for supper. And they provide me plenty of space to assume when I required it. They are quite compassionate and naturally shocked at whoever would certainly do this.I recognize many individuals in Washington, a lot of folks that journey to DC and NYC, plenty of that are actually captains, that I experienced certain I would certainly acquire at the very least a handful of items of bad news over the next few times. I acquired the very first one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I met Chic during the course of cadet summer season when our company resided in the D&B together, and our company had considerable amounts of lessons with each other. I can't visualize what he should of gone through, and also now I listen to that he might possess increased further than our experts can easily even think of by probably avoiding his aircraft coming from being the one to deal with the White Property. What a horrendous reduction, yet I'm sure Chic was dealing with bravely throughout. And also rips do not move the same precede ...It is actually complicated to describe exactly how it feels to be the only American totally off the earth at a time such as this. The emotion that I need to exist with each of you, handling this, aiding somehow, is actually frustrating. I know that our company are on the limit (or even beyond) of a dreadful shift in the record of the world. Numerous factors are going to certainly never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Not just for the manies thousand as well as countless folks directly influenced by these horrible acts of violence, yet probably for all of us. Our experts will discover ourselves experiencing in different ways about dozens of factors, featuring probably space expedition, regrettably.It is actually unpleasant to view smoke cigarettes pouring coming from wounds in your very own nation coming from such a fantastic perspective. The dichotomy of getting on a space probe committed to enhancing life on the earth and also enjoying life being destroyed by such conscious, horrendous process is jolting to the psyche, despite who you are. And also the understanding that whatever will definitely be different than when we introduced due to the time our team land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and also in our management that we are going to perform every little thing achievable to better safeguard her and also our loved ones, as well as to deliver justice of what has been actually done. I possess confidence that the really good people at NASA are going to do whatever essential to continue our goal properly as well as return our team safely at the correct time. And I skip all of you significantly. I can not exist with you personally, and also our experts have a long way to visit complete our purpose, yet be specific that my center is actually along with you, as well as know you remain in my requests.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the last character ... Fortunately, it is actually been a hectic full week up right here. And to confirm that, like our country, our team are actually continuing on our designated pathway with company customarily (as long as feasible). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber are going to be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States time), it will definitely dock with us, at a port never ever used prior to on the low point side of the Solution Element. This new element is going to provide us one more area to dock an Improvement or even Soyuz and are going to give a big airlock along with pair of able to be used hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our company will definitely carry out a few of before our experts get back.The complication just before in dealing with today was actually too little headlines. The complication right now is a lot of. It arrived simultaneously when email was rejuvenated, as well as there is actually inadequate opportunity to read it all! Plus it is actually also tough to manage all of it immediately. Yet I value obtaining it, as well as I actually enjoy the wonderful characters of support and companionship I am actually obtaining.Our team are doing well aboard, obtaining our job carried out, and also discussing traits. Last night our team had a lengthy discussion over supper about the importance of these celebrations, the achievable activities to observe, and also what ought to be done. After dinner, Michael made a point of informing me that every email he got coming from good friends in Russia said specifically to inform me exactly how sorry they were that this occurred, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as asking how I was actually doing. Vladimir educated me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Urban area. (Both the Russian as well as the English phrases are actually much too lengthy to articulate quickly.) Really type people.For the last two days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to transfer live shows of radio news concerning the occasion and connected stories, to be sure I was actually effectively educated. Every expert who has come on free throw line to talk about a procedure or a problem contends some factor extended greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that because of the wedding day of remembrance in the US, all the time folks had been carrying flowers as well as lining all the wall structures of the United States embassy in Moscow, as well as this evening they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the embassy. Exactly how the world has actually transformed.Individuals everywhere seem to be to acknowledge the senselessness and also horror in this particular attack. As well as the incredible reduction. Moscow has taken care of these type of complications in the final few years along with apartment or condo as well as subway battles, so they are as anxious to eliminate this threat as we are actually. But all-time low collection is actually that there are really good folks just about everywhere that would like to stay in peace. I review that a kid asked, "The United States is so really good to various other nations, our company consistently help everybody, just how can they hate our team a great deal?".I hope the instance of teamwork as well as leave that this space capsule and all people in the plan show daily are going to someday motivate the rest of the world to operate the same way. They must!However, our experts won't be taking flight over the United States while people are actually lighting candles. Do not know if we might see that in any case. Our team performed, however, see an extremely uncommon and also gorgeous view a couple of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. We were overtaking it and it emerged about 3 mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sun hit our terminal, so it was still unaware. It seemed like a big comet with a right, large rear silhouetted versus the darker world underneath. In spite of some negative illumination for some time as the sunshine hit our home window at a low viewpoint, I took care of some online video of it as initially our company passed the rocket, and afterwards watched it begin to catch up as it got elevation and also speed. I recorded up until main motor cutoff and also booster splitting up occurred equally as we approached sunrise on the Himalayas. An unforgettable view in an extraordinary week ...Life takes place, even in space. Our company're here to keep ... Frank.