A Long Island veteran who helped establish detainee operations at Guantanamo Bay following the September 11 terrorist attacks is sharing his experiences through The Fog of War and Humanity, a podcast produced by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Hosted by South Shore Press columnist Richard Acritelli, the program features Montgomery “Monty” Granger discussing his military service during the War on Terror and the lessons he learned while balancing security, duty and compassion in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.
Before discussing his military career, Granger spoke about his ongoing volunteer work supporting veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. He works with organizations including Resurrecting Lives and the Bergdolf Foundation, which fund research and promote awareness of TBI and its long-term effects.
“TBI is a lingering wound,” Granger said. “It comes from blasts, concussions, and it doesn’t just go away with medication. Therapy matters.”
Granger also discussed his experiences with the Department of Veterans Affairs, praising the dedication of many employees while expressing concern about aging facilities and bureaucratic delays that continue to affect veterans seeking care. He specifically pointed to the Northport VA Medical Center, saying veterans deserve better facilities and resources.
His military journey began as a combat medic before he attended Officer Candidate School and became a Medical Service Corps officer. Following several assignments, he transferred into a Military Police prisoner-of-war unit, eventually leading to deployment as part of detainee operations after 9/11.
At the time of the attacks, Granger was serving as Director of Health and Athletics in a Long Island school district. After learning that the World Trade Center had been struck, he contacted his military unit and was told to prepare for deployment.
That path ultimately led him to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in February 2002, where he helped establish the Joint Detainee Operations Group as detainees captured in Afghanistan began arriving at the facility.
“We helped stand up the Joint Detainee Operations Group,” Granger recalled. “Detainees were arriving from Afghanistan, many wounded. It was intense, dangerous and unlike anything I’d ever seen.”
Granger said military personnel were tasked with protecting American interests while ensuring detainees received humane treatment. He noted that organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross were allowed access and oversight, helping ensure transparency during the operation’s early days.
The discussion also touched on the legal and ethical challenges facing military personnel following 9/11. Granger explained that many detainees were considered unlawful combatants, creating complex questions regarding detention and the application of international law.
Despite the dangers and uncertainty, Granger emphasized that professionalism and compassion remained essential. He recalled treating detainees suffering from physical injuries, mental illness and substance abuse while maintaining security and gathering intelligence that could help prevent future attacks.
The conversation offered listeners a firsthand look at one of the most consequential chapters of the War on Terror while highlighting the difficult decisions faced by those charged with carrying out America’s policies during a time of national crisis.
To see the whole interview, visit: www.hmtcli.org