.Publisher's Keep in mind: The following is the text message of a letter from Expedition Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), assessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written quite concerning specifics of this particular objective during the month I've been listed below, primarily for 2 main reasons: the initial being actually that there has been actually quite little bit of time to accomplish that sort of writing, as well as second of all due to the fact that I'm uncertain how pleasant I am discussing notions I show to friends and family with the rest of the world.Effectively, certainly the globe changed today. What I state or even perform is really small contrasted to the importance of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually struck by ... through whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we know, I suppose. Challenging to know at whom to drive our anger as well as fear ...I had only ended up an amount of tasks this morning, the best time-consuming being the physical exams of all crew members. In an exclusive talk observing that, the air travel plastic surgeon told me they were possessing a quite poor day on the ground. I possessed no suggestion ...He illustrated the circumstance to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually overwhelmed, then terrified. My 1st idea was that this wasn't a true conversation, that I was actually still listening closely to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely didn't seem achievable on this scale in our country. I could not even think of the details, even before the headlines of further devastation began can be found in.Vladimir dropped in fairly promptly, sensing that one thing incredibly significant was actually being discussed. I waved Michael right into the element at the same time. They were also amazed as well as stunned. After we signed off, I made an effort to reveal to Vladimir and also Michael as best I can the potential enormity of this particular show of fear in midtown Manhattan as well as at the Government. They precisely comprehended and were actually really sympathetic.I browsed the Planet Chart on the computer to view where over the world our team were actually and also observed that we were actually coming southeast away from Canada and also would certainly be actually overlooking New England in a couple of minutes. I zoomed around the station up until I discovered a home window that will offer me a scenery of New York City and nabbed the nearest cam. It took place to become a camera, and I was actually looking south coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have a strange flower to it at the bottom of the pillar that was streaming south of the urban area. After going through some of the news articles our team only acquired, I feel our team were taking a look at NY around the moment of, or quickly after, the crash of the 2nd tower. Exactly how dreadful ...I panned the electronic camera during the East Coast to the south to view if I could find every other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet nothing showed up.It was actually rather difficult to think about work after that, though we possessed some to carry out, however on the following track we went across the US further south. All 3 people were actually working a couple of cameras to try to obtain sights of The big apple or Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no specific resource might be observed. Everything looked extraordinary from a couple of hundred miles away. I can not imagine the terrible scenes on the ground.Other than the mental effect of our country being tackled as well as 1000s of our citizens and possibly some buddies being actually eliminated, the absolute most overwhelming sensation being where I am actually is one of isolation.Following day ... I presume the exhaustion and also psychological stress acquired the very best of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as remain to create. Today was still difficult, yet our experts began obtaining more info, plus our company possessed the tribute of chatting straight with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who assured us that the ground crews would continue to operate and ensure our safety, along with the secure procedure of the Place. Our team likewise talked to our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the Course are all completely dedicated to continuing safe procedures as well as assistance. These were certainly never inquiries for me. I recognize all these folks! The ground crews have been exceptionally supporting, incredibly understanding of the effect of the updates, and have actually tried to be as beneficial as achievable. They have all been actually extremely qualified as well as concentrated though I can't envision the interruption of this form of headlines coming in and the thought and feelings that federal government structures may be in danger. They certainly never avoided a beat, also when relocating control centers. And also a team of senior personnel as well as pals gave our team a pretty extensive briefing on what was actually recognized and what was being actually carried out in the federal government and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was really useful and type of all of them to perform in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been encouraging and also practical, making an effort to uplink news articles when our personal properties were actually inoperable, and stating kind terms ...My crewmates have been terrific, too. They know it is actually been a tough time for me and also the people on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to become as even keeled as well as valuable as possible. Michael also fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for supper. As well as they give me loads of space to assume when I required it. They are quite considerate and also of course shocked at whoever will do this.I recognize a lot of folks in Washington, many individuals who take a trip to DC and New York City, many who are actually pilots, that I experienced certain I will receive a minimum of a handful of pieces of trouble over the following handful of times. I obtained the very first one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic throughout cadet summer months when we remained in the D&B with each other, and we had lots of courses with each other. I can't picture what he has to of undergone, as well as currently I listen to that he may have climbed further than our company may also think about by potentially stopping his aircraft from being the one to tackle the White Property. What a horrible reduction, yet I make certain Chic was dealing with bravely throughout. As well as tears do not flow the very same precede ...It is actually complicated to define just how it experiences to become the only American totally off the earth at a time like this. The sensation that I must be there with all of you, coping with this, aiding in some way, is overwhelming. I know that our team get on the threshold (or beyond) of a dreadful change in the background of the globe. Lots of factors will never coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the manies thousand as well as 1000s of folks directly affected through these ghastly process of terrorism, yet probably for everybody. Our experts will certainly discover ourselves feeling in different ways regarding lots of things, including possibly space exploration, regrettably.It's terrible to see smoke pouring coming from injuries in your own country from such a great point of view. The dichotomy of being on a space probe devoted to improving life on the planet as well as enjoying life being actually ruined by such premeditated, terrible acts is jolting to the subconscious, despite who you are actually. And the know-how that whatever will certainly be actually various than when our company released by the opportunity our company land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our leadership that our company will do whatever achievable to better safeguard her as well as our loved ones, and to carry justice for what has been carried out. I have assurance that the good people at NASA are going to carry out whatever essential to proceed our purpose securely and return us carefully at the correct time. And also I overlook each of you significantly. I can't exist with you face to face, as well as our company possess a very long way to go to finish our objective, yet be particular that my soul is with you, and also recognize you are in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last character ... Luckily, it is actually been an occupied full week up right here. And also to prove that, like our country, our team are actually continuing our planned course with organization as usual (as high as possible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment will be actually introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (United States time), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a slot never ever used prior to on the low point edge of the Service Module. This brand new element is going to provide us one more location to dock an Improvement or Soyuz as well as will definitely offer a huge airlock with 2 able to be used hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our team are going to perform a few of just before our experts return.The complication just before in handling this week was too little headlines. The problem right now is way too much. It came simultaneously when email was actually restored, and there's not enough opportunity to review it all! Plus it is actually also hard to handle all of it simultaneously. However I enjoy getting it, as well as I actually enjoy the excellent letters of support as well as friendly relationship I am acquiring.Our experts are flourishing aboard, obtaining our work performed, and talking about things. Last night our team possessed a long discussion over dinner about the value of these celebrations, the feasible activities to observe, and what must be actually carried out. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he received coming from friends in Russia mentioned specifically to tell me just how sorry they were actually that this occurred, extending their condolences, as well as inquiring how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir instructed me the Russian term for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity City. (Both the Russian and also the English phrases are much very long to pronounce conveniently.) Really kind individuals.For the final two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to send online shows of radio news about the occasion and connected stories, to see to it I was actually effectively notified. Every professional that has come on free throw line to cover an operation or even a complication contends some factor expanded greetings to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that as a result of the wedding of remembrance in the United States, throughout the day people had been actually carrying blooms and also edging all the wall surfaces of the US embassy in Moscow, and also this night they were igniting candles in the road outside the consulate. Just how the planet has actually transformed.Folks all over seem to identify the senselessness as well as horror in this particular assault. As well as the significant reduction. Moscow has managed these kind of complications in the final few years along with home as well as metro battles, so they are as troubled to get rid of this threat as our experts are actually. However all-time low product line is that there are actually really good people almost everywhere who intend to live in tranquility. I read through that a youngster inquired, "America is actually therefore great to other countries, our experts always aid everyone, just how can they dislike our company so much?".I hope the example of cooperation and rely on that this space probe plus all people in the system demonstrate daily are going to at some point encourage the rest of the globe to work similarly. They must!Regrettably, we will not be actually piloting over the United States while folks are lighting candles. Don't understand if our experts might see that anyway. Our company did, nonetheless, see a quite uncommon and also wonderful attraction a few mins ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. We were actually surpassing it and it emerged concerning 3 minutes after its launch from Baikonur as the sunlight reached our station, so it was still in the dark. It looked like a huge comet with a right, broad tail silhouetted against the black world below. Regardless of some bad lighting fixtures for a while as the sunlight hit our home window at a low viewpoint, I managed some video clip of it as to begin with our team passed the rocket, and then watched it start to catch up as it got height and also speed. I filmed until primary engine deadline as well as booster splitting up took place equally as our experts came close to sunup on the Mountain ranges. A memorable view in an extraordinary full week ...Life takes place, even precede. Our experts're here to remain ... Frank.