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Image for event: Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett

Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett

author of Midnight in Ironbottom Sound

2025-04-26 13:15:00 2025-04-26 14:30:00 America/New_York Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett Author Carole Avriett will discuss her book, Midnight in Ironbottom Sound, the incredible story of the Black Mess Attendant who saved 15 men during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Saturday, April 26
1:15pm - 2:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-04-26 13:15:00 2025-04-26 14:30:00 America/New_York Discover WWII Heroism with author Carole Avriett Author Carole Avriett will discuss her book, Midnight in Ironbottom Sound, the incredible story of the Black Mess Attendant who saved 15 men during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Author Carole Avriett will discuss her book, Midnight in Ironbottom Sound, the incredible story of the Black Mess Attendant who saved 15 men during the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II.

This event is kindly sponsored by the National Commandery of the Naval Order of the United States.

Books will be available for sale at this event.

Midnight in Ironbottom Sound is a captivating World War II narrative of an untold story in the Pacific theater. In the heart of the Pacific , where the tides of World War II surged, lies a tale of heroism on the high seas. This is the untold story of the USS Gregory (APD-3), a ship manned by unknown sailors whose bravery echoes through the annals of history.

Upon the decks of this vessel, Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Bauer and Mess Attendant Charles J. French, representing the highest and lowest ranks on the USS Gregory, become the focal points of this gripping narrative. In the turbulent waters of the Pacific, their stories, interwoven with the ship's saga -- whose vital mission was to transport Marine Raiders to bloody beaches -- emerge as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering commitment to duty.

Avriett unfolds a brief but catastrophic chapter of naval history that is often overlooked -- that of unremitting warfare during the first few weeks following the initial invasion of the Solomon Islands to the demise of the USS Gregory four weeks later. Within the crucible, the USS Gregory, marked as a "minor" player, takes center stage. The ship's designation as an APD, its brave crew, and the harrowing night of terror they faced, set the stage for an unforgettable story.

Avriett meticulously reveals their heroism and pays homage to the eternal truth that courage has neither color nor prerequisites, and that valor hails from within.

AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion | Author Talks |

TAGS: | |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library

dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price

Hours
Mon, Jul 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 31 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Aug 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 02 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 03 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
  • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
  • DASH Bus: 30, 32

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Wed, Jul 30, All day
Join us for a scavenger hunt for library cats!

Wed, Jul 30, 10:30am - 11:05am
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 30, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Jul 30, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Alexandria Soccer coaches for an action-packed, fun-filled soccer practice! Ages 6-12.

Wed, Jul 30, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Thu, Jul 31, All day
Join us for a scavenger hunt for library cats!

Thu, Jul 31, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Thu, Jul 31, 10:30am - 11:00am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-8 with an adult.

Thu, Jul 31, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult. After your first birthday, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Jul 31, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference Room
NEW EXTENDED TIME! 3-5 PM! Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Thu, Jul 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.

Fri, Aug 01, All day
Join us for a scavenger hunt for library cats!

Fri, Aug 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Ventriloquism and puppet performance that will inspire kids to believe in themselves and the importance of reading! (Ages 0-8)

Sat, Aug 02, 10:30am - 11:30am
Large Meeting Room
Learn some cartooning and drawing skills with the illustrator of the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Kane Chronicles graphic novels! (Ages 6-12)

Sat, Aug 02, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Meet the illustrator of the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Kane Chronicles graphic novels! Watch sketching demonstrations and learn about archaeology & the process of making a graphic novel.

Sat, Aug 02, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Picture Book Area
Check out the Library’s selection of tabletop games. (Ages 5-18) Echa un vistazo a la selección de juegos de mesa de la Biblioteca. (De 5 a 18 años) Área infantil de Beatley Library

Sun, Aug 03, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Small Conference Room
This is a twice-monthly forum for writers to work on drafts, network, and share moral support. Meets first and third Sundays. All are welcome!

Cancelled
Mon, Aug 04, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-8 with an adult.

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Mon, Aug 04, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Develop tools and skills to create, market, and sell your original artwork in this 10-week series.

Tue, Aug 05, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Cancelled
Tue, Aug 05, 10:30am - 11:15am
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Tue, Aug 05, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Wed, Aug 06, 10:30am - 11:05am
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Aug 06, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Aug 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Create affirmation flowers that celebrate how wonderful you are! Ages 6-12.

Wed, Aug 06, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Thu, Aug 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Thu, Aug 07, 10:30am - 11:00am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-8 with an adult.

Thu, Aug 07, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-12 months, accompanied by an adult. After your first birthday, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Aug 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.

Sat, Aug 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Join Grammy-winning children’s musicians for an interactive musical performance in English and Spanish. (All ages)

Sat, Aug 09, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Use a variety of craft materials to turn a tin into an emergency or survival kit of your choice.

Sat, Aug 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Sat, Aug 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Picture Book Area
Check out the Library’s selection of tabletop games. (Ages 5-18) Echa un vistazo a la selección de juegos de mesa de la Biblioteca. (De 5 a 18 años) Área infantil de Beatley Library