.Editor's Keep in mind: The adhering to is actually the content of a character from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), assessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed significantly regarding specifics of this objective during the month I've been actually listed here, primarily for two main reasons: the 1st being that there has actually been actually incredibly little opportunity to accomplish that sort of creating, and furthermore, considering that I am actually uncertain exactly how comfy I am discussing notions I show to family and friends with the remainder of the world.Effectively, certainly the globe modified today. What I mention or even do is really minor compared to the implication of what happened to our country today when it was actually attacked through ... by whom? Terrorists is all we know, I think. Difficult to understand at whom to route our anger and also fear ...I had merely completed a lot of jobs today, the best lengthy being actually the physical exams of all workers participants. In an exclusive discussion observing that, the trip surgeon informed me they were actually possessing a quite bad time on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He explained the scenario to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually flabbergasted, then alarmed. My initial thought was actually that this had not been a real chat, that I was still listening to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just didn't seem feasible on this incrustation in our country. I could not even picture the particulars, also before the headlines of more damage started can be found in.Vladimir dropped in rather swiftly, picking up that something really significant was actually being explained. I swung Michael right into the element also. They were likewise astounded and stunned. After we signed off, I attempted to clarify to Vladimir and also Michael as greatest I might the prospective immensity of this particular act of terror in downtown New york as well as at the Government. They plainly comprehended and were incredibly considerate.I browsed the Globe Map on the personal computer to find where over the world we were and discovered that our team were actually coming southeast away from Canada and will be actually overlooking New England in a few mins. I zoomed around the station until I discovered a window that would certainly offer me a view of New York City as well as nabbed the closest electronic camera. It happened to be a camera, and also I was actually looking southern from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to possess a strange flower to it at the base of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After going through one of the newspaper article our team just obtained, I think we were examining NY around the moment of, or soon after, the crash of the second high rise. How horrendous ...I swept the cam during the East Shoreline to the south to find if I could find any other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing was visible.It was fairly challenging to think about work after that, though our experts possessed some to do, yet on the upcoming track our company went across the US further south. All three people were actually working a couple of cams to try to receive viewpoints of Nyc or Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, yet no specific resource could be seen. It all appeared extraordinary coming from two to three hundred miles away. I can not imagine the awful settings on the ground.Apart from the mental effect of our country being actually attacked and lots of our citizens and perhaps some friends being actually killed, the most frustrating feeling being actually where I am is just one of seclusion.Upcoming time ... I guess the exhaustion and mental strain got the most effective of me. I could not stay awake and also continue to create. Today was actually still complicated, yet our experts started acquiring more information, plus our company had the tribute of chatting directly with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, that ensured us that the ground staffs will remain to work and also ensure our safety, along with the risk-free operation of the Place. Our company additionally heard from our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that added that the companions in the Plan are actually all totally committed to proceeding risk-free procedures and also help. These were never ever concerns for me. I understand all these folks! The ground teams have been astonishingly supporting, extremely understanding of the influence of the news, and have actually attempted to become as handy as possible. They have actually all been actually quite qualified and concentrated though I can not visualize the disturbance of this type of updates being available in and also the thought that federal government properties could be in danger. They certainly never avoided a beat, even when moving control centers. And also a team of elderly workers and buddies provided our team a rather in depth instruction on what was understood and also what was actually being actually done in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually really practical and also type of all of them to perform in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually helpful and also useful, attempting to uplink news articles when our very own possessions were inoperable, and stating kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been actually great, as well. They understand it is actually been a tough day for me and the individuals on the ground, and also they've attempted to become as even keeled and also helpful as feasible. Michael even corrected me my beloved Borscht soup for supper. And they provide me loads of room to believe when I needed it. They are incredibly supportive and naturally shocked at whoever would certainly do this.I recognize so many individuals in Washington, plenty of individuals who journey to DC and also NYC, so many who are captains, that I really felt certain I would obtain at the very least a couple of parts of problem over the upcoming couple of days. I obtained the initial one today when I knew that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that struck the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I found Chic during the course of cadet summer season when we resided in the D&B together, as well as we possessed bunches of lessons all together. I can't envision what he needs to of looked at, and right now I hear that he may have climbed even more than we can also think about through potentially stopping his aircraft coming from being the one to deal with the White Home. What a horrendous loss, but I make certain Chic was actually fighting bravely throughout. And also splits don't circulate the very same in space ...It's difficult to describe how it feels to be the only United States completely off the planet each time including this. The sensation that I must be there along with each one of you, coping with this, helping in some way, is difficult. I know that our team perform the limit (or past) of a dreadful change in the background of the globe. Lots of things will certainly never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands and hundreds of folks directly impacted by these horrendous actions of violence, yet most likely for all of us. We will definitely find our own selves feeling in different ways concerning loads of things, featuring most likely area expedition, unfortunately.It's horrible to find smoke putting from wounds in your own nation coming from such a fantastic point of view. The dichotomy of getting on a space capsule dedicated to boosting everyday life on the planet and checking out life being actually destroyed through such intentional, horrendous actions is actually jolting to the psyche, despite that you are. And the expertise that every thing will certainly be various than when our experts introduced due to the opportunity our company land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our management that our company are going to perform whatever achievable to much better shield her and our families, as well as to bring fair treatment for what has been actually carried out. I have assurance that the excellent individuals at NASA will certainly do everything important to continue our purpose securely as well as return our company securely at the correct time. As well as I overlook each one of you significantly. I can't be there along with you face to face, and also our experts possess a very long way to go to complete our purpose, however be particular that my heart is actually with you, and understand you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final character ... The good news is, it's been an active full week up right here. And to show that, like our country, we are actually continuing on our planned road with company customarily (as high as feasible). Tonight the most recent addition to the place, the Russian Docking Area will certainly be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US opportunity), it will dock along with our company, at a slot never ever used before on the nadir side of the Solution Element. This brand new module will give us another spot to dock a Progression or Soyuz and are going to provide a big airlock along with two useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our company are going to carry out a few of just before we come home.The problem just before in taking care of recently was actually insufficient information. The complication today is way too much. It came simultaneously when e-mail was actually repaired, and there's insufficient time to read everything! Plus it's as well challenging to take care of all of it instantly. However I value obtaining it, and also I definitely cherish the wonderful characters of support as well as friendly relationship I am actually obtaining.Our experts are actually doing well aboard, getting our job done, and discussing factors. Last night we possessed a lengthy conversation over dinner concerning the importance of these celebrations, the feasible activities to observe, and what should be done. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he acquired coming from pals in Russia stated specifically to inform me how sorry they were actually that this happened, prolonging their condolences, as well as inquiring exactly how I was performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English terms are actually considerably extremely long to articulate easily.) Really types people.For the last two days, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transmit online programs of broadcast headlines concerning the occasion and associated tales, to see to it I was properly updated. Every expert that has actually started the line to talk about a treatment or even an issue has at some aspect expanded introductions to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that as a result of the special day of remembrance in the United States, throughout the day individuals had been actually delivering flowers and 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. Exactly how the planet has actually modified.Folks all over appear to recognize the senselessness and also terror in this assault. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has actually handled these sort of problems in the last few years along with condo as well as subway battles, so they are actually as nervous to do away with this hazard as our team are. However all-time low collection is that there are actually excellent people anywhere that want to live in calmness. I go through that a child inquired, "United States is actually therefore great to other countries, our company always assist every person, exactly how can they despise us a lot?".I wish the example of participation as well as rely on that this space probe plus all the people in the system illustrate daily will one day influence the rest of the planet to function similarly. They must!Unfortunately, our company will not be taking flight over the US during the time folks are actually lighting candle lights. Don't know if our company could possibly find that in any case. Our team performed, having said that, see an incredibly unusual as well as stunning attraction a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our team were eclipsing it and also it emerged about 3 mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our terminal, so it was still unaware. It resembled a large comet along with a directly, broad tail silhouetted versus the black planet beneath. Even with some poor lighting fixtures for some time as the sunlight attacked our window at a reduced angle, I took care of some video of it as first our team passed the spacecraft, and then enjoyed it start to mesmerize as it acquired altitude as well as velocity. I shot up until major engine cutoff and enhancer splitting up happened just like we approached sunup on the Himalayas. An extraordinary view in an extraordinary week ...Life goes on, even in space. Our experts are actually below to keep ... Frank.