.Editor's Details: The complying with is the text message of a character from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reassessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed very much concerning specifics of the objective during the course of the month I've been right here, mostly for pair of factors: the very first being actually that there has been actually very little time to do that type of creating, and the second thing is considering that I'm not exactly sure just how comfy I am sharing thoughts I show to family and friends along with the remainder of the world.Effectively, definitely the planet modified today. What I point out or even do is actually very minor reviewed to the importance of what took place to our country today when it was attacked by ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we understand, I reckon. Tough to recognize at whom to direct our temper and also worry ...I had merely ended up a lot of jobs this morning, the most time-consuming being the physical exams of all team participants. In an exclusive chat complying with that, the tour plastic surgeon informed me they were possessing a quite negative day on the ground. I possessed no concept ...He defined the situation to me as ideal he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually stunned, at that point terrified. My very first thought was that this wasn't an actual conversation, that I was still listening closely to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely failed to seem feasible on this incrustation in our country. I could not also imagine the particulars, also prior to the information of further destruction began being available in.Vladimir visited quite quickly, sensing that something extremely severe was being explained. I swung Michael in to the component too. They were actually additionally amazed and stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to reveal to Vladimir and also Michael as best I can the potential size of the show of fear in midtown New york and at the Pentagon. They clearly understood as well as were actually extremely understanding.I glanced at the Planet Chart on the computer to find where over the globe our team were and also discovered that our company were actually coming southeast away from Canada and will be skipping New England in a few moments. I whized around the terminal up until I found a home window that would provide me a scenery of NYC and got the local cam. It took place to be a camera, and I was appearing southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke appeared to possess an odd blossom to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After reviewing one of the news articles our team just received, I feel our team were actually checking out NY around the moment of, or even not long after, the crash of the 2nd tower. How unpleasant ...I swept the cam the whole time the East Coast to the south to see if I can observe some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet nothing showed up.It was quite tough to think about work after that, though our company possessed some to carry out, however on the next track our experts crossed the United States further south. All 3 people were operating a couple of cams to attempt to get scenery of New york city or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, however no particular source can be seen. All of it appeared astonishing from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can't imagine the unfortunate settings on the ground.Apart from the emotional effect of our nation being actually attacked and also 1000s of our people as well as perhaps some buddies being actually eliminated, one of the most mind-boggling feeling being where I am is among solitude.Following time ... I suppose the tiredness and also emotional stress received the best of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as continue to write. Today was still hard, however we began acquiring even more information, plus our experts possessed the respect of chatting straight with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, that guaranteed us that the ground crews will continue to function and also ensure our safety and security, as well as the risk-free procedure of the Station. We likewise heard from our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the Plan are all absolutely devoted to continuing secure functions and also assistance. These were certainly never questions for me. I know all these individuals! The ground groups have been very encouraging, incredibly understanding of the effect of the information, and also have made an effort to become as valuable as possible. They have actually all been extremely expert and focused though I can't envision the distraction of the sort of news being available in as well as the thought and feelings that government buildings might be vulnerable. They never avoided a beat, even when transferring nerve center. And also a team of senior workers as well as friends offered us a pretty comprehensive briefing about what was known as well as what was actually being actually done in the federal government and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was extremely beneficial as well as kind of them to perform in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has also been supportive and useful, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our own resources were actually inoperable, as well as mentioning kind words ...My crewmates have been actually excellent, too. They recognize it is actually been actually a difficult time for me as well as the folks on the ground, and they've attempted to be as also keeled and practical as achievable. Michael also corrected me my preferred Borscht soup for dinner. And also they offer me plenty of area to presume when I needed it. They are incredibly considerate and naturally shocked at whoever would certainly do this.I recognize so many folks in Washington, a lot of people who take a trip to DC as well as New York City, plenty of who are actually captains, that I felt sure I would certainly acquire at the very least a handful of pieces of trouble over the upcoming couple of times. I acquired the 1st one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that attacked the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I encountered Chic during plebe summer months when we were in the D&B with each other, as well as our company possessed considerable amounts of lessons together. I can't visualize what he should of looked at, and now I listen to that he might have climbed even more than our experts can even think of through probably stopping his plane from being actually the one to attack the White Residence. What a dreadful loss, however I make sure Chic was actually combating fearlessly throughout. As well as tears don't stream the very same precede ...It's challenging to illustrate exactly how it feels to be the only American entirely off the planet each time including this. The feeling that I ought to exist along with every one of you, coping with this, aiding somehow, is actually difficult. I understand that our team perform the threshold (or beyond) of a dreadful change in the background of the globe. Several things will definitely never ever be the same again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not simply for the manies thousand as well as 1000s of folks straight impacted by these horrible process of violence, yet perhaps for everyone. We will definitely locate our own selves experiencing in different ways concerning loads of factors, including perhaps area expedition, however.It is actually dreadful to find smoke pouring from cuts in your personal country coming from such a wonderful viewpoint. The dichotomy of performing a spacecraft dedicated to boosting everyday life on the earth and also viewing life being ruined by such witting, horrible actions is jolting to the psyche, regardless of who you are actually. And the knowledge that every thing will definitely be actually various than when our team launched by the time we land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our leadership that our team will certainly carry out every little thing feasible to much better shield her and our households, and also to carry justice of what has actually been actually carried out. I have peace of mind that the great people at NASA will carry out every little thing essential to continue our goal safely and securely and return us safely at the right time. As well as I overlook each one of you quite. I can not exist along with you personally, as well as our experts have a very long way to visit finish our goal, however be certain that my soul is actually along with you, and know you remain in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last letter ... The good news is, it is actually been actually a busy week up listed here. And to show that, like our country, our experts are actually continuing on our intended road with organization customarily (as high as achievable). Tonight the most recent add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Area are going to be introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States time), it will definitely dock with our company, at a port certainly never used prior to on the low point edge of the Solution Element. This brand-new module is going to give us another spot to dock a Progression or even Soyuz as well as will offer a large airlock with 2 able to be used hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our team will certainly do a few of before we return.The trouble just before in dealing with recently was inadequate headlines. The complication today is actually excessive. It came simultaneously when e-mail was actually rejuvenated, as well as there's not nearly enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it's also challenging to handle all of it instantly. Yet I appreciate receiving it, as well as I really enjoy the excellent letters of help and also companionship I am actually obtaining.Our team are succeeding on board, acquiring our work performed, as well as speaking about points. Final evening we had a long conversation over dinner about the importance of these celebrations, the achievable activities to comply with, and also what need to be carried out. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every e-mail he obtained coming from friends in Russia pointed out exclusively to tell me just how sorry they were that this occurred, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as talking to how I was actually performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after speaking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English phrases are a lot very long to pronounce quickly.) Incredibly types individuals.For the final 2 times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to broadcast online shows of broadcast updates regarding the activity and also connected tales, to make sure I was properly notified. Every specialist that has come on the line to discuss a procedure or even a trouble contends some point extended hellos to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our team that as a result of the wedding day of remembrance in the United States, all the time individuals had actually been delivering blossoms as well as edging all the walls of the United States consular office in Moscow, and this evening they were lighting candlesticks in the street outside the embassy. Just how the world has transformed.Folks anywhere appear to acknowledge the senselessness as well as terror in this strike. And also the enormous loss. Moscow has actually handled these kind of troubles in the last couple of years with apartment or condo as well as metro battles, so they are as distressed to eliminate this threat as our company are actually. Yet all-time low series is actually that there are excellent people almost everywhere that desire to reside in peace. I check out that a child inquired, "America is actually so really good to various other countries, our company constantly help everybody, how can they despise us so much?".I wish the instance of cooperation as well as trust that this space probe and all people in the program demonstrate daily will at some point motivate the rest of the world to function similarly. They must!Unfortunately, our experts will not be actually taking flight over the US during the time folks are igniting candlesticks. Do not know if our company could possibly find that anyhow. Our experts carried out, nevertheless, view an incredibly unique and gorgeous view a handful of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz booster. We were actually overtaking it and it emerged regarding three minutes after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine attacked our station, so it was actually still unaware. It seemed like a big comet with a straight, large rear silhouetted versus the dark earth beneath. Despite some bad lighting for a while as the sunlight hit our home window at a reduced perspective, I handled some online video of it as first our company passed the spacecraft, and then viewed it start to catch up as it gained altitude as well as speed. I recorded till main motor cutoff and also booster separation occurred equally as our company moved toward dawn on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable attraction in a memorable full week ...Lifestyle happens, even in space. Our company're right here to keep ... Frank.