.Publisher's Details: The following is the content of a letter from Trip 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reflecting on the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created quite about specifics of this purpose throughout the month I have actually been listed below, mostly for 2 causes: the initial being actually that there has been actually incredibly little bit of opportunity to perform that kind of writing, and also also because I am actually not sure exactly how comfortable I am actually sharing notions I provide friends and family along with the remainder of the world.Properly, definitely the world modified today. What I mention or even do is actually very minor matched up to the implication of what happened to our country today when it was attacked through ... by whom? Terrorists is all we know, I guess. Challenging to know at whom to point our anger and also fear ...I had only completed a lot of tasks this morning, the absolute most taxing being the physical exams of all crew members. In a personal discussion adhering to that, the trip plastic surgeon informed me they were actually having a quite poor time on the ground. I had no idea ...He explained the scenario to me as greatest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually made speechless, after that terrified. My initial idea was actually that this wasn't a real conversation, that I was actually still listening to among my Tom Clancy strips. It just didn't seem to be feasible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't also envision the particulars, even before the information of additional destruction began being available in.Vladimir came by fairly swiftly, picking up that something extremely significant was actually being actually gone over. I swung Michael right into the component also. They were actually also impressed as well as stunned. After our experts authorized off, I made an effort to clarify to Vladimir and Michael as best I could possibly the possible enormity of this act of fear in downtown Manhattan and also at the Government. They plainly understood as well as were actually quite considerate.I browsed the Globe Chart on the computer system to observe where over the planet we were actually as well as saw that our company were actually coming southeast away from Canada as well as would certainly be passing over New England in a handful of minutes. I zipped around the station until I located a window that would offer me a perspective of New York City and got hold of the closest cam. It took place to become a camera, and also I was actually looking southern from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to possess a weird flower to it at the bottom of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reading through among the news articles our company just got, I feel we were actually taking a look at NY around the amount of time of, or even soon after, the failure of the second tower. Exactly how horrible ...I swept the video camera during the East Shore to the south to view if I could possibly find some other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, but nothing at all was visible.It was actually quite difficult to consider job after that, though our company possessed some to do, however on the upcoming track our company traversed the US additional southern. All 3 of us were actually functioning one or two cameras to make an effort to acquire viewpoints of New York or even Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, yet no certain resource can be found. Everything appeared awesome coming from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't imagine the awful scenes on the ground.Apart from the emotional effect of our country being dealt with and also hundreds of our consumers as well as maybe some close friends being killed, the absolute most mind-boggling sensation being where I am is among isolation.Following time ... I suspect the tiredness and psychological stress acquired the greatest of me. I could not remain awake and continue to compose. Today was still challenging, but our experts started acquiring additional details, plus our company had the honor of speaking directly along with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that ensured our company that the ground teams would remain to function as well as guarantee our safety and security, in addition to the secure procedure of the Station. Our team likewise learnt through our Manager, Mr. Goldin, that added that the companions in the System are actually all absolutely committed to proceeding secure functions and also assistance. These were never inquiries for me. I know all these folks! The ground staffs have been actually extremely helpful, really understanding of the effect of the headlines, and have actually made an effort to become as helpful as achievable. They have actually all been actually really qualified and also concentrated though I can not visualize the distraction of the type of headlines being available in as well as the thought that government properties may be in danger. They never missed a beat, even when transferring control centers. And a team of senior employees and buddies offered our team a rather in depth instruction on what was known as well as what was being actually performed in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was quite handy and sort of all of them to do in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supportive and useful, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our very own possessions were actually inoperable, and also stating kind words ...My crewmates have been actually terrific, also. They understand it's been actually a tough time for me and also the people on the ground, as well as they've tried to become as even keeled as well as helpful as achievable. Michael also fixed me my favored Borscht soup for supper. As well as they give me lots of area to assume when I needed it. They are actually extremely supportive and of course shocked at whoever will perform this.I know a lot of people in Washington, plenty of people who travel to DC and NYC, a lot of who are captains, that I experienced certain I will get a minimum of a couple of items of trouble over the next few days. I got the initial one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that reached the Government was Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I met Chic during plebe summer when our team resided in the D&B all together, as well as we had tons of classes all together. I can not picture what he should of gone through, as well as now I listen to that he may possess increased further than our company can easily even think of through probably preventing his plane coming from being the one to deal with the White Home. What a terrible loss, yet I make sure Chic was battling bravely throughout. And splits do not move the exact same precede ...It is actually difficult to describe how it really feels to become the only American completely off the earth each time like this. The sensation that I need to exist along with all of you, dealing with this, assisting in some way, is actually mind-boggling. I understand that our experts perform the threshold (or beyond) of a dreadful switch in the past of the globe. Many points will definitely never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands and also 1000s of people straight impacted by these horrible acts of violence, however probably for all of us. We will certainly discover our own selves feeling differently regarding loads of points, consisting of probably room expedition, unfortunately.It's unpleasant to view smoke pouring from injuries in your personal nation coming from such a fantastic viewpoint. The duality of performing a spacecraft committed to strengthening daily life on the earth and seeing lifestyle being actually destroyed through such conscious, dreadful actions is actually jolting to the subconscious, regardless of who you are. And also the knowledge that whatever will definitely be actually different than when our team launched by the time we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our country and in our leadership that our team are going to carry out everything possible to better guard her and also our family members, as well as to deliver compensation wherefore has actually been performed. I have peace of mind that the great individuals at NASA are going to carry out every little thing essential to proceed our objective safely as well as return our team properly at the right time. And I miss each of you very much. I can't exist along with you personally, as well as our team have a long way to go to finish our mission, yet be specific that my center is with you, as well as understand you are in my petitions.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... The good news is, it's been actually a hectic week up right here. As well as to verify that, like our country, our experts are continuing on our planned road along with company as usual (as much as achievable). Tonight the most recent addition to the station, the Russian Docking Area are going to be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States time), it will definitely dock with our company, at a slot certainly never used before on the low point side of the Solution Element. This new component will definitely offer our company yet another place to dock a Development or even Soyuz as well as are going to supply a large airlock with 2 able to be used hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our company are going to carry out a few of before our team get home.The trouble just before in managing recently was actually inadequate information. The trouble right now is actually a lot of. It came all at once when email was actually repaired, and there is actually inadequate time to review all of it! Plus it's too hard to deal with all of it at the same time. But I enjoy obtaining it, and also I actually appreciate the great letters of help and also friendly relationship I am obtaining.Our company are flourishing aboard, getting our job performed, and discussing factors. Final evening our team possessed a long conversation over dinner regarding the implication of these activities, the feasible activities to comply with, and also what need to be done. After supper, Michael resolved informing me that every e-mail he obtained coming from good friends in Russia stated particularly to inform me how regretful they were that this occurred, expanding their condolences, and also inquiring just how I was actually doing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English terms are a lot very lengthy to pronounce quickly.) Extremely type individuals.For the final pair of days, the Russian MCC has sufficed to transfer real-time programs of radio updates regarding the occasion and affiliated accounts, to be sure I was actually well informed. Every specialist who has started free throw line to talk about a method or even a problem contends some factor stretched greetings to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that because of the wedding day of remembrance in the United States, all day individuals had actually been bringing flowers and lining all the wall structures of the US consular office in Moscow, and also this night they were igniting candles in the road outside the consular office. Exactly how the world has altered.People all over seem to be to recognize the senselessness as well as terror in this particular strike. As well as the incredible reduction. Moscow has taken care of these sort of concerns in the final few years along with house and subway bombings, so they are actually as distressed to get rid of this hazard as we are actually. Yet all-time low line is actually that there are excellent folks anywhere that would like to reside in peace. I review that a youngster talked to, "The United States is actually therefore great to various other nations, our company regularly assist every person, just how can they loathe our company so much?".I hope the instance of collaboration as well as leave that this space capsule plus all the people in the program display daily are going to one day inspire the rest of the world to work similarly. They must!Sadly, we won't be piloting over the US during the time folks are igniting candles. Don't recognize if our company can find that anyway. Our experts carried out, having said that, view an extremely unique and beautiful view a couple of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our team were actually eclipsing it as well as it came into view regarding 3 moments after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine hit our station, so it was actually still unaware. It resembled a large comet along with a right, broad rear silhouetted against the dark planet below. Even with some bad lights for some time as the sunshine attacked our window at a reduced viewpoint, I managed some video clip of it as first our company passed the rocket, and afterwards watched it begin to catch up as it acquired height and also velocity. I recorded till main engine deadline as well as booster separation developed just as our team moved toward sunrise on the Himalayas. An extraordinary attraction in a remarkable week ...Life goes on, even in space. We are actually listed below to keep ... Frank.