.Publisher's Keep in mind: The complying with is actually the message of a letter coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reviewing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created quite regarding specifics of the goal in the course of the month I have actually been right here, mostly for 2 reasons: the 1st being that there has been extremely little opportunity to accomplish that type of writing, and also second of all given that I'm uncertain exactly how relaxed I am sharing notions I share with family and friends along with the rest of the planet.Well, certainly the world modified today. What I state or even perform is actually incredibly small reviewed to the implication of what happened to our country today when it was assaulted through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I suppose. Hard to know at whom to direct our anger and also concern ...I had merely finished a lot of duties today, the best taxing being actually the physical examinations of all crew members. In an exclusive discussion adhering to that, the trip cosmetic surgeon informed me they were possessing a really negative day on the ground. I had no tip ...He defined the condition to me as finest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually stunned, at that point alarmed. My 1st notion was that this had not been a true conversation, that I was actually still listening closely to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It only didn't seem possible on this scale in our nation. I couldn't even visualize the details, also prior to the news of more damage began coming in.Vladimir dropped in quite rapidly, noticing that one thing incredibly serious was actually being talked about. I waved Michael into the component as well. They were actually also blown away and stunned. After our company signed off, I tried to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as best I could the potential immensity of this particular show of fear in midtown Manhattan and at the Government. They precisely understood as well as were actually quite sympathetic.I browsed the World Chart on the computer to see where over the planet we were and also discovered that our company were happening southeast away from Canada as well as would be actually passing over New England in a couple of minutes. I whized around the station up until I discovered a window that will offer me a sight of New York City as well as got hold of the local video camera. It occurred to be a camera, and also I was appearing southern coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to have an odd blossom to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the city. After checking out one of the newspaper article we just obtained, I think we were actually checking out NY around the moment of, or quickly after, the crash of the 2nd high rise. Exactly how terrible ...I panned the video camera during the East Coast to the south to find if I can view some other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, but absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually fairly complicated to think about job after that, though our company had some to carry out, but on the following track we went across the US additional southern. All three of us were functioning a couple of video cameras to make an effort to receive viewpoints of The big apple or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, however no particular resource could be seen. All of it looked extraordinary coming from two to three hundred miles away. I can not visualize the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Other than the psychological influence of our nation being tackled as well as lots of our consumers and maybe some buddies being actually killed, the absolute most overwhelming feeling being where I am is among solitude.Upcoming time ... I reckon the fatigue and also emotional strain received the greatest of me. I could not stay awake and remain to compose. Today was still hard, but our experts began acquiring even more details, plus our experts possessed the honor of talking straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who assured our company that the ground teams would remain to operate as well as guarantee our security, as well as the secure function of the Station. Our company additionally heard from our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the Course are all entirely committed to carrying on risk-free functions as well as assistance. These were certainly never inquiries for me. I understand all these people! The ground staffs have actually been incredibly supportive, incredibly understanding of the impact of the information, and have attempted to become as useful as feasible. They have all been actually extremely expert and focused though I can't visualize the disturbance of the type of headlines being available in and also the idea that government properties may be at risk. They certainly never skipped a beat, also when moving control centers. And also a group of senior staffs as well as buddies provided our company a pretty thorough briefing on what was actually known as well as what was being actually performed in the authorities and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was very helpful and also sort of them to accomplish in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has also been supporting as well as beneficial, making an effort to uplink news articles when our own possessions were inoperable, and saying kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been fantastic, also. They recognize it is actually been a hard day for me and the folks on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to be as even keeled as well as useful as feasible. Michael even repaired me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they provide me loads of room to think when I needed it. They are actually extremely considerate as well as obviously shocked at whoever would certainly do this.I understand a lot of people in Washington, many individuals who travel to DC and also New York City, so many who are pilots, that I felt sure I would certainly get a minimum of a handful of items of problem over the next couple of days. I got the first one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that reached the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic during the course of cadet summer when our experts were in the D&B together, and also our team had bunches of courses with each other. I can not picture what he needs to of looked at, and also right now I listen to that he may possess climbed additionally than our team can also consider by possibly stopping his aircraft from being the one to deal with the White Property. What a horrible reduction, however I'm sure Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. As well as rips don't flow the very same precede ...It's tough to illustrate just how it feels to be the only United States fully off the world at a time including this. The emotion that I ought to be there with every one of you, coping with this, aiding somehow, is mind-boggling. I recognize that we are on the limit (or even past) of a terrible change in the background of the globe. Numerous traits will certainly never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the manies thousand and also countless people directly affected by these horrible actions of terrorism, yet possibly for everyone. We will certainly locate ourselves feeling in a different way regarding dozens of points, consisting of probably room expedition, sadly.It is actually terrible to see smoke cigarettes pouring coming from injuries in your personal nation from such a great angle. The duality of getting on a space probe dedicated to enhancing everyday life on the planet as well as watching life being actually destroyed through such witting, terrible process is jolting to the psyche, despite who you are. As well as the understanding that everything will be different than when our experts introduced due to the time we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and also in our leadership that our experts will certainly carry out every little thing possible to better shield her as well as our loved ones, and to carry fair treatment for what has been carried out. I have self-confidence that the really good people at NASA will definitely carry out every little thing essential to proceed our purpose safely as well as return us safely and securely at the right time. And also I skip each of you very much. I can't be there with you in person, and also our company have a very long way to head to complete our purpose, however be particular that my soul is along with you, and also know you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final letter ... The good news is, it's been a busy week up here. And also to prove that, like our nation, our experts are continuing our planned road with business customarily (as long as feasible). Tonight the current addition to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment are going to be actually introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (US time), it is going to dock with our company, at a slot never ever utilized prior to on the nadir edge of the Company Element. This new element will give our team yet another spot to dock a Progression or even Soyuz as well as will give a huge airlock along with pair of useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which we will definitely perform a few of before we get home.The problem just before in taking care of today was inadequate information. The trouble right now is actually too much. It came at one time when email was actually rejuvenated, as well as there's inadequate opportunity to read everything! Plus it is actually as well difficult to handle all of it at the same time. Yet I value receiving it, and I truly value the excellent characters of support and relationship I am getting.We are prospering on board, obtaining our work performed, and referring to things. Final evening our team had a lengthy conversation over supper regarding the importance of these celebrations, the feasible actions to observe, and what must be performed. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he received coming from friends in Russia stated exclusively to tell me how regretful they were actually that this occurred, expanding their acknowledgements, and also asking how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir showed me the Russian word for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity City. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are much extremely lengthy to articulate conveniently.) Really type individuals.For the last 2 times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to broadcast live programs of broadcast news regarding the celebration and also affiliated stories, to ensure I was effectively informed. Every professional that has begun the line to talk about a treatment or even a trouble contends some point expanded hellos to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that due to the wedding day of recognition in the United States, all the time individuals had actually been actually taking florals and lining all the walls of the US consulate in Moscow, and also this evening they were lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. How the planet has actually altered.People everywhere seem to recognize the senselessness as well as scary in this assault. As well as the remarkable loss. Moscow has dealt with these kind of troubles in the final handful of years with apartment as well as subway battles, so they are actually as troubled to do away with this danger as our experts are actually. However all-time low collection is actually that there are actually really good people everywhere who intend to stay in tranquility. I review that a child inquired, "The United States is thus good to various other nations, our company constantly assist everybody, how can they loathe our team a great deal?".I hope the example of teamwork as well as depend on that this space probe and all people in the system demonstrate daily are going to at some point inspire the remainder of the world to function the same way. They must!Regrettably, our company will not be taking flight over the United States during the time people are lighting candlesticks. Do not recognize if our team can view that in any case. Our company carried out, having said that, observe an incredibly unique as well as stunning sight a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our company were eclipsing it and also it came into view concerning three mins after its own launch from Baikonur as the sun reached our terminal, so it was still in the dark. It seemed like a huge comet with a straight, vast tail silhouetted versus the black world underneath. Regardless of some poor lighting for some time as the sunshine hit our window at a low perspective, I managed some video recording of it as initially our experts passed the spacecraft, and after that watched it begin to catch up as it acquired altitude as well as velocity. I filmed until main engine deadline and enhancer splitting up developed just like we approached dawn on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable view in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle happens, also precede. We're listed here to remain ... Frank.