FDNY Veteran Becomes 9/11 Museum Docent

For 23 years, George Campbell avoided the area of the World Trade Center. However, since retiring in March 2025 after a 37-year career with the New York City Fire Department, Campbell has returned to volunteer as a docent at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. He feels it's important to keep the story alive and regularly works shifts there.

Campbell, who was on medical leave on September 11, 2001, found himself on the George Washington Bridge when the second plane hit. He drove to his firehouse and, with other firefighters, commandeered a bus to reach Lower Manhattan. Amidst the chaos and the collapse of the North tower, their immediate focus was on the recovery efforts.

He spent ten months on the recovery operation, meticulously documenting the locations where victims' remains and artifacts were found using a specialized GPS unit. This deeply personal work, including identifying a fellow firefighter from recovered boots, profoundly affected him. Campbell now shares these harrowing experiences with museum visitors, particularly noting the emotional reactions of international guests.

Campbell finds particular joy in interacting with younger visitors, encouraging their questions and sharing commemorative pins. He also travels with a 9/11 exhibit educating people nationwide about the attacks, emphasizing the remarkable unity and resilience demonstrated in the country's response.