Guantánamo Public Memory Project
Archive
Aaron Reynolds III
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1971 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Aaron Reynolds III discusses his time as a U.S. military dependent at Guantánamo, going to W.T. Sampson high school and interacting with other members of the base community.…
Go to StoryAbubakir Qasem
Detainee | At GTMO 2001-May 2006 | Source: Witness to Guantánamo | Short Video
Abubakir Qasem discusses his experience as an inmate in the U.S. detention facility in Cuba, and the trying to overcome the perception that he was a terrorist. The…
Go to StoryAlberto Jones
Base Worker | At GTMO 1958 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Alberto Jones discusses his time on the base as a Cuban worker, and the tensions that permeated the experience of traversing the U.S.-Cuban border. The little village where…
Go to StoryAldama Family
Resident | At GTMO 1961-1995 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
The Aldama family reminisces about living in the safe sea-side community that was Guantánamo. Since Fidel Castro communized Cuba, Gitmo has become a key pressure point in…
Go to StoryAnita Lewis Isom
Resident | At GTMO 1962-1977 | Source: Picture Projects | Audio Slideshow
Anita Lewis Isom reminisces about living in Guantánamo, and about the anxiety of being evacuated from the base in the face of the Cuban Missile Crisis. My name…
Go to StoryBarbara Phipps
Military Officer | At GTMO 1975 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Full Interview (Audio Only)
Barbara Phipps remembers the time she spent with friends when she first arrived at Guantánamo with her family after her father was assigned to the Cuban outpost. My…
Go to StoryBisher Al-Rawi
Detainee | At GTMO 2002 - 2007 | Source: American Civil Liberties Union | Short Video
Bisher Al-Rawi recalls being mistreated by his guards while he was detained at Guantánamo. When I hear another prisoner screaming, screaming out of pain and he is right…
Go to StoryBrandon Neely
Prison Guard | At GTMO Jan 2002-Mar 2004 | Source: Witness to Guantánamo | Short Video
Brandon Neely remembers his time as a guard at the detention facility at Guantánamo, and the challenge of humanizing the detainees. Oh yea, everyday before there was like…
Go to StoryCarol Rosenberg
Journalist | At GTMO 2002-2006 | Source: Witness to Guantánamo | Short Video
Journalist Carol Rosenberg describes her first visit to Camp Six, and the lack of accessibility to the prisoners. You know when we first went to Camp Six, which…
Go to StoryCharles Sizemore
Military Officer | At GTMO 1960-1965 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Former U.S. military serviceman Charles Sizemore remembers his first tour at Guantánamo in 1960. I live in Pensacola, Florida and I am from Dothan, Alabama. That is where…
Go to StoryChristopher Dewey
Military Officer | At GTMO 1982 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Full Interview (Audio Only)
Christopher Dewey recalls the time his military service led him to undertake fleet training in Guantánamo Bay. Christopher Dewey. I was born March 18, 1961 in Brooklyn, New…
Go to StoryClive Stafford Smith
Lawyer | At GTMO 2002-2012 | Source: Witness to Guantánamo | Short Video
Lawyer Clive Stafford Smith on representing GTMO detainees. You know of course the U.S. wasn’t publishing a list of prisoners in Guantanamo. We didn’t get a list of prisoners…
Go to StoryConrado Basulto
Refugee | At GTMO 1994-1995 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Artist Conrado Basulto remembers fleeing Cuba and being detained at a refugee camp in Guantánamo in the early 1990s. My name is Conrado Basulto. I’m 44 years old.…
Go to StoryDanelia Stewart
Resident | At GTMO 1966-1979 | Source: Valerie Hamilton | Audio Slideshow
Daniela Antonia Stewart is a Cuban national who remembers what it was like to live on Guantánamo in the 1960s after her father, who worked on the base,…
Go to StoryDavid Frakt
Military Officer | At GTMO 2008-09 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
U.S Air Force Lieutenant Colonel David Frakt shares reflections on his time as a defense counsel with the Office of Military Commissions at Guantánamo Bay.
Go to StoryDavid Pruett
Military Officer | At GTMO February 1962 - January 1963 | Source: U. of West Florida | Full Interview (Audio Only)
David Pruett has fond memories of his military assignment at Guantánamo in the early 1960s. About the time I was in Guantánamo I was an E3 and later…
Go to StoryDavid Watson
Military Dependent | At GTMO June 1958 - June 1960 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
David Watson describes the time he spent in Guantánamo from 1958 to 1960 as a military dependent. My name is David Watson. I was in Guantánamo from about…
Go to StoryDeborah Anker
Lawyer | At GTMO [not at GTMO] | Source: Northeastern University Public History Program | Short Video
Deborah Anker, Director of the Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, was part of the legal team advocating for a change in US policy to repatriate Haitian…
Go to StoryDee Riley
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1960-1965 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Dee Riley spent her childhood at Guantánamo while her father worked on the base as a military servicemen. The experience that I got from being a navy brat,…
Go to StoryEugenio Rothe
Social Worker | At GTMO 1994-1995 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
When Eugenio Rothe was at Guantánamo at the peak of the Cuban refugee crisis in 1994, he worked to assess the psychological trauma that the detention had induced…
Go to StoryGeorge Walls
Military Officer | At GTMO 1991-1992 | Source: Tennessee Watson | Short Video
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General George Walls remembers the daily challenges of detaining Haitian refugees at Guantánamo. My name is George Walls. I am a retired brigadier general from…
Go to StoryGerry and Phyllis Robinson
Military Officer | At GTMO 1960s and 1970s | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Gerry and Phyllis Robinson remembers what it was like wandering the base for the first time and meeting new people. It felt like you were home. You with…
Go to StoryGuarione Díaz
Social Worker | At GTMO 1994 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Guarione Díaz remembers his visits to the Cuban refugee camps at Guantánamo in the 1990s. He especially remembers the Cuban children who pleaded with him for their release.…
Go to StoryIra Kurzban
Lawyer | At GTMO 1991-1996 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Lawyer Ira Kurzban confronted political and legal barriers when attempting to secure legal representation for Haitian refugees being indefinitely detained at Guantánamo in the 1990s. I began representing…
Go to StoryJames Bourke
Military Officer | At GTMO 1967 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
James Bourke was thrilled when he was assigned to go to Guantánamo, remembering “It was a great place for a family.” James R. Bourke, Pensacola, Florida. I had 15 years…
Go to StoryJames Damico
Military Officer | At GTMO 1952 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
James Damico rememberers his time at Guantánamo fondly: the food and drink, the sunshine, and the company of Cuban nationals and fellow servicemen alike. That is when they were asking…
Go to StoryJere Jailite
Military Officer | At GTMO 1960 - 1964 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Jere Jailite recalls how the base community dealt with Cuban agression, specifically when Castro cut off the base water supply. My job in Gitmo was, I was assigned…
Go to StoryJohn and Betty Arnold
Military Officer | At GTMO 1961 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
John and Betty Arnold describe how their time living at Guantánamo helped their family grow closer. Betty: Well we knew he was going overseas and we did not…
Go to StoryJohn Manna
Base Worker | At GTMO 1940 - 1950 | Source: U. of West Florida | Audio Slideshow
John Manna describes a 6 week stint he spent in Guantánamo for fleet training and his visits to nearly Cuban cities, recalling “Liberty in the cities was inexpensive…
Go to StoryJorge Mota
Refugee | At GTMO 1994-1996 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Jorge Mota left Cuba in a small boat with the hope of reaching the shore of the U.S. mainland. Here he describes what happened after a U.S. Coast…
Go to StoryKathy Chandler Toomey and Michael Chandler
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1960 - 1964 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Two siblings recall their experiences growing up on the base, and how they came to understand the U.S.-Cuban border. Kathy: Our dad was in the navy. When he…
Go to StoryKenneth Pace
Military Officer | At GTMO 2003-04 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Kenneth Pace remembers the close community atmosphere of Guantánamo when he was working on the naval station. It was like a heaven on earth, it really was. It…
Go to StoryKenny Sphinx
Journalist | At GTMO 2010 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Full Interview (Audio Only)
Kenny Sphinx recalls his efforts to orient himself geographically on the island, shortly after arriving there to begin a tour of duty. They have the two different sides…
Go to StoryLieutenant General Raymond Ayres
Military Officer | At GTMO Oct 1994 - Feb 1995 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
To this day, Lieutenant General Raymond Ayres is proud of his service at the refugee camps at Guantánamo. Raymond Paul Ayres, Jr, Lieutenant General of the United States…
Go to StoryLinda Estes and Pola Baker
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1953 - 1966 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Linda Estes and Pola Baker agree that GTMO offered them an idyllic American childhood. Linda: I think everybody felt like family. Even those of us that really did…
Go to StoryLindy Aven and Ruth Patterson
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1961-1995 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Lindy Aven and Ruth Patterson recall the wildlife in Guantánamo after they moved there following their fathers’ re-assignment to the naval base. Ruth: There were iguanas. I have…
Go to StoryMichael and Pat Weathers
Base Worker | At GTMO 2002 - 2008 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Michael and Pat Weathers recall that their time at Guantánamo “was blessed.” Michael: Being in Guantanamo Bay, people ask me about it now and I say it was…
Go to StoryMike Fair
Military Officer | At GTMO 1960-1961 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Full Interview (Audio Only)
Mike Fair recalls the interactions between the Cuban and Haitian refugees at Guantánamo. So at that house there, like I say, was two or three hundred yards away…
Go to StoryMoazzam Begg
Detainee | At GTMO 2003 - 2005 | Source: American Civil Liberties Union | Short Video
Moazzam Begg recounts in vivid detail his detention at Guantánamo under the War on Terror. I remember being spat at. I remember dogs being brought so close to…
Go to StoryNatalie and Gregory Beaubrun
Refugee | At GTMO 1992 | Source: Tennessee Watson | Short Video
Natalie and Gregory Beaubrun recall their experience as children detained with their family at Guantánamo after they fled political persecution in Haiti.
Go to StoryOliver Semmes
Military Officer | At GTMO 1955 - 1967 | Source: U. of West Florida | Full Interview (Audio Only)
Oliver Semmes recalls his training tours at Guantánamo, and seeing the facilities on the base develop over time. The first time I entered Guantánamo Bay was in or…
Go to StoryOmar Deghayes
Detainee | At GTMO 2002 - 2007 | Source: American Civil Liberties Union | Short Video
Omar Deghayes describes the hardships of being an inmate at Guantánamo. I experienced sadness in a state that I never had, cruelty at a depth that I had…
Go to StoryPatricia Page
Military Officer | At GTMO 1954-1959 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Patricia Page describes the beauty of her new home at Guantánamo after her father was assigned there for a tour of duty. Patricia Page. I was born in…
Go to StoryPavel Rodriguez
Refugee | At GTMO 1994-1995 | Source: Picture Projects | Audio Slideshow
Pavel Rodrigues was a child when he was detained with his family at Guantánamo for attempting to sail in a small boat from Cuba to the United States.…
Go to StoryRaul Hernandez
Social Worker | At GTMO 1994 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Raul Hernandez remembers the sights, sounds, and smells of the Cuban refugee camp at Guantánamo. The Cuban regime would allow the boats with people to leave no matter…
Go to StoryRonald Aubourg
Translator | At GTMO 1992 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Ronald Aubourg describes the detention of Haitian refugees at Guantánamo as an assault. My name is Ronald Aubourg. My first trip was February, 1992. We were about to…
Go to StorySanford P. Artman
Military Officer | At GTMO 2007-08 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Retired Colonel Sanford P. Artman is interviewed by his daughter about his deployment with the Joint Task Force – Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Go to StoryStephanie Scott
Social Worker | At GTMO 1994-1995 | Source: U. of Miami | Short Video
Stephanie Scott describes the time she spent as a social worker serving refugee children at Guantánamo. I am an assistant research professor at the University of Miami medical…
Go to StoryTerri Kennan
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1958 - 1962 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Terri Kennan remembers her time at Guantánamo, confronting adolescent anxieties like dating and dancing at the base youth club. I came in December of 1958 and left in October of 1962,…
Go to StoryThe Thackers
Military Dependent | At GTMO 1955 - 1964 | Source: U. of West Florida | Short Video
Siblings Charlene, Donna, and Jeanette remember their time together in Guantánamo Bay in the mid 1950s. I am Charlene Bootsma and I moved to Guantanamo Bay in 1955.…
Go to StoryWadson Michel
Social Worker | At GTMO [not at GTMO] | Source: Northeastern University Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Haitian-American social worker Wadson Michel recalls his experiences working with nearly 100 unaccompanied Haitian minors who arrived in the Boston area from refugee camps at Guantánamo Bay in 1992.
Go to StoryWilliam Brazzell
Military Officer | At GTMO 1961-1965 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
William Brazzell remembers the joys of fishing Guantánamo Bay while he was stationed there in the 1960s. The fishing was great in Guantanamo. The fishing was outstanding. The…
Go to StoryWinston and Nelda Williams
Military Officer | At GTMO 1965-1967 | Source: U. of West Florida Public History Program | Audio Slideshow
Winston and Nelda Williams remember when they first arrived at Guantánamo in 1965, and were struck by its natural beauty and warm community. Winston Williams I am Nelda…
Go to StoryYvonne Bradley
Lawyer | At GTMO 2004-2009 | Source: Witness to Guantánamo | Short Video
Military Officer Yvonne Bradley recalls the first time she experienced the ways that detainees at GTMO are denied legal rights. I remember the first time going in to…
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Creative: Picture Projects & Tronvig Group