.Publisher's Details: The adhering to is actually the text of a character from Expedition 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), assessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed quite about specifics of this particular goal during the month I've been actually listed below, primarily for 2 main reasons: the 1st being that there has been really little bit of time to do that sort of composing, and also secondly given that I am actually unsure how comfy I am actually sharing ideas I show family and friends with the rest of the planet.Well, certainly the world changed today. What I state or do is really minor contrasted to the implication of what happened to our country today when it was struck through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I think. Tough to understand at whom to point our anger and also fear ...I had actually just completed an amount of activities this morning, the best time-consuming being actually the physical examinations of all crew participants. In a personal chat following that, the trip plastic surgeon informed me they were actually having an extremely bad time on the ground. I had no idea ...He illustrated the condition to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, at that point frightened. My initial idea was that this wasn't a real discussion, that I was actually still listening to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely failed to seem to be possible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't even think of the details, even prior to the news of further devastation began coming in.Vladimir came over fairly rapidly, sensing that something incredibly serious was actually being actually gone over. I swayed Michael right into the module at the same time. They were actually also impressed as well as stunned. After our team signed off, I attempted to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I could possibly the prospective immensity of the show of horror in midtown Manhattan as well as at the Government. They plainly understood as well as were extremely considerate.I glanced at the World Chart on the computer system to see where over the globe our team were actually as well as noticed that our experts were coming southeast away from Canada as well as would be passing over New England in a handful of mins. I whized around the station up until I located a window that would certainly provide me a viewpoint of NYC as well as got hold of the closest camera. It occurred to become a camera, and also I was actually appearing south coming from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to be to have a strange flower to it at the bottom of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the metropolitan area. After checking out among the news articles our company simply got, I think our team were actually looking at NY around the time of, or even soon after, the collapse of the 2nd high rise. Just how dreadful ...I scanned the camera the whole time the East Coastline to the south to view if I could possibly find some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet nothing at all showed up.It was quite challenging to think of work afterwards, though our experts had some to do, yet on the upcoming orbit our team went across the US additional southern. All 3 of us were working a couple of cameras to try to receive viewpoints of New York or even Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no specific resource could be viewed. All of it appeared incredible from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't think of the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Apart from the psychological impact of our country being tackled and also thousands of our citizens and perhaps some close friends being gotten rid of, the most frustrating emotion being actually where I am is among seclusion.Following time ... I suspect the exhaustion as well as emotional stress acquired the best of me. I could not keep awake and remain to compose. Today was still hard, but our company started obtaining additional information, plus our experts possessed the tribute of speaking directly along with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who ensured us that the ground groups would continue to work and ensure our security, and also the safe function of the Station. Our team likewise heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the Course are actually all absolutely dedicated to continuing secure functions and also help. These were actually never ever concerns for me. I know all these people! The ground staffs have actually been actually incredibly encouraging, very understanding of the effect of the information, and also have tried to be as helpful as possible. They have actually all been incredibly qualified and also focused though I can not think of the distraction of this particular form of news coming in and the idea that government structures may be in danger. They certainly never avoided a beat, also when relocating control centers. And also a group of elderly staffs and also pals gave our company a rather extensive instruction on what was actually known and what was actually being carried out in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was quite beneficial and also kind of them to perform in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually helpful as well as practical, trying to uplink newspaper article when our very own properties were unusable, and claiming kind words ...My crewmates have actually been excellent, also. They understand it's been a difficult time for me and the people on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to be as also keeled and helpful as possible. Michael also corrected me my preferred Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they provide me lots of space to think when I needed it. They are quite considerate and obviously shocked at whoever will do this.I know many people in Washington, plenty of folks that journey to DC and also NYC, a lot of who are actually aviators, that I experienced certain I will get at least a few items of trouble over the next handful of times. I received the 1st one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that reached the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I met Chic in the course of plebe summer months when our experts remained in the D&B with each other, and our experts had considerable amounts of training class together. I can't imagine what he has to of experienced, as well as now I hear that he might have climbed additionally than we may also think of by probably preventing his plane from being the one to attack the White Property. What a terrible reduction, however I make sure Chic was combating bravely throughout. And also rips don't stream the very same in space ...It is actually difficult to explain exactly how it feels to become the only United States totally off the planet each time like this. The feeling that I ought to be there along with every one of you, handling this, aiding somehow, is frustrating. I recognize that our company get on the limit (or past) of a horrendous change in the background of the globe. Many traits will certainly never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands and also countless people directly influenced through these horrible actions of violence, but probably for we all. We will definitely find our own selves feeling in different ways regarding lots of factors, consisting of perhaps room expedition, unfortunately.It's terrible to see smoke cigarettes putting coming from cuts in your own nation coming from such a wonderful vantage point. The dichotomy of getting on a space capsule committed to improving life on the planet and seeing life being destroyed by such conscious, horrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are. As well as the expertise that everything will be different than when we released due to the time we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation as well as in our management that our company will certainly perform every little thing achievable to far better safeguard her and also our households, and to take fair treatment wherefore has been done. I possess assurance that the excellent people at NASA will definitely perform every little thing needed to continue our purpose securely and also return us securely at the correct time. As well as I miss every one of you very much. I can not be there with you in person, as well as we have a very long way to head to complete our purpose, however be actually specific that my center is actually along with you, and recognize you reside in my prayers.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... Fortunately, it's been an occupied full week up here. And to confirm that, like our nation, our team are continuing our designated pathway along with business customarily (as long as possible). Tonight the latest addition to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock with us, at a port never ever used prior to on the low point edge of the Solution Component. This brand new element is going to offer us yet another spot to dock a Development or Soyuz and also will certainly give a big airlock along with pair of useable hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which our experts are going to perform a few of just before our experts get back.The trouble before in taking care of recently was actually too little headlines. The problem right now is a lot of. It arrived all at once when e-mail was repaired, and also there is actually insufficient opportunity to review it all! Plus it's also difficult to cope with all of it instantly. However I enjoy obtaining it, and also I actually appreciate the wonderful letters of help and companionship I am acquiring.We are actually prospering aboard, acquiring our job carried out, and discussing factors. Final night we possessed a lengthy discussion over supper regarding the significance of these occasions, the achievable activities to follow, and also what ought to be actually performed. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he acquired from buddies in Russia stated exclusively to inform me how regretful they were that this taken place, extending their acknowledgements, and inquiring how I was doing. Vladimir taught me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after speaking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English words are actually considerably too long to verbalize effortlessly.) Really kind folks.For the last pair of days, the Russian MCC has sufficed to broadcast live broadcasts of broadcast news regarding the activity and also connected stories, to make certain I was effectively notified. Every professional that has come on free throw line to explain a technique or even a complication has at some point extended introductions to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that due to the wedding of remembrance in the United States, all the time people had been taking flowers as well as lining all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, and also this night they were actually igniting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. How the globe has actually changed.Folks everywhere seem to be to identify the senselessness and also scary within this strike. And also the remarkable loss. Moscow has dealt with these type of concerns in the final couple of years with condo as well as train bombings, so they are as anxious to do away with this risk as our company are actually. Yet all-time low collection is that there are actually good people everywhere who desire to live in calmness. I review that a youngster inquired, "America is so excellent to other nations, our experts consistently assist everyone, just how can they dislike us a lot?".I really hope the instance of collaboration and count on that this space capsule plus all people in the course show daily are going to someday motivate the rest of the globe to work similarly. They must!Regrettably, our experts won't be actually taking flight over the US during the time individuals are actually lighting candle lights. Do not recognize if our experts can observe that anyway. Our team carried out, nevertheless, view a very unique as well as beautiful attraction a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz enhancer. We were overtaking it and it came into view regarding three mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sunlight attacked our station, so it was still unaware. It seemed like a large comet with a right, wide tail silhouetted versus the darker planet beneath. Despite some poor lights for some time as the sun struck our window at a low perspective, I dealt with some video clip of it as first our team passed the rocket, and then saw it start to mesmerize as it gained elevation as well as velocity. I filmed up until main engine deadline as well as booster separation occurred equally as our team moved toward daybreak on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary view in an extraordinary full week ...Lifestyle happens, also in space. Our team're below to stay ... Frank.