Montgomery J. "Monty” Granger, Major, U.S. Army (Retired), proudly served from 1986 to 2008. Born in Illinois and raised in Southern California, he earned degrees from the University of Alabama and Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City—where he met his wife of 31 years.

After returning to California, Monty spent time substitute teaching and working at Disneyland before enlisting in the California Army National Guard in 1986 as a Combat Medic with HHC, 4/140, 40th (MECH) Infantry Division. He later moved back to New York to pursue a full-time teaching career. Once his college loans were paid off, he attended Officer Candidate School at the Empire State Military Academy and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1991. He was assigned to HHC, 71st Infantry (42nd ID) in Freeport, Long Island, as a Medical Platoon Leader.

Monty spent over a decade working in New York City public schools as a health and physical education teacher, coach, and Dean of Students before transitioning into school administration in Suffolk County. He completed his School District Administrator certification at SUNY Stony Brook.

In the Army Reserve, Monty served as Company Commander of the 356th Field Hospital in Rocky Point, NY, and held various staff roles as the unit transitioned into the 4220th U.S. Army Hospital. In 1999, he transferred to the 455th Military Police Detachment (Brigade Liaison Detachment), 800th MP Brigade (Enemy Prisoner of War), based in Uniondale, NY, where he was later promoted to captain.

Following the attacks of September 11, 2001, Monty was called to active duty. From February to June 2002, he served as the senior U.S. Army Medical Department officer for the Joint Detainee Operations Group, Joint Task Force 160 at Camp X-Ray, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was activated again in 2003 for deployment to Iraq; however, that mission was canceled due to diplomatic restrictions.

In 2004, Monty was reassigned to the 343rd MP Detachment for a 14-month tour in Iraq. He conducted detainee operations at multiple sites, including Abu Ghraib, Camp Bucca, and Camp Ashraf.

Monty retired from military service in December 2008 after 22 years, and from his civilian education career in 2022. His military awards include the:

• Meritorious Service Medal

• Army Commendation Medal

• Joint Service Achievement Medal

• Army Achievement Medal

• Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal

• Armed Forces Service Medal

• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

• Iraq Campaign Medal

• Cold War Medal

A Life Member of the VFW, Monty transferred into VFW Post 4927 in 2023 after many years as a Member-at-Large. He has lived in Port Jefferson Station since 1991 and is the proud father of five children, ages 16 to 29.