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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

Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763

Hours
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Mon, Jun 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 02 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 03 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 04 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 05 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 06 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 07 1:00PM to 5:00PM

About the branch

This free class is rooted in the classical teachings of Sri Dharma Mittra and builds upon the foundational sequence to gently explore new depths of practice. Like all Dharma Yoga, this advanced beginner-to-intermediate level sequence blends the physical discipline of hatha yoga with the meditative and introspective qualities of raja yoga, using posture (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation to promote vitality, inner stillness, and radiant peace.

Students will be guided through Surya Namaskar (sun salutations) and a slightly more dynamic variation of Shiva Namaskar (held poses), with options offered throughout to support students of all levels. Expect a complete and balanced practice that may also include mantras, guided deep relaxation in savasana, and alternate-nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) to calm the nervous system.

This sequence remains accessible to all levels, including beginners. Modifications and the use of props are always encouraged to ensure a safe and supportive experience for every-body.

🧘🏻 Register to save a seat for you and your mat! 🧘🏾

Upcoming Events

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Wed, Jun 03, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Wed, Jun 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.

Thu, Jun 04, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Thu, Jun 04, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference 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!

Fri, Jun 05, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sat, Jun 06, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Pick up a brochure of SummerQuest programs, learn about the summer reading challenge, enjoy some snacks, and meet a special guest from the Washington Nationals! (Ages 0-12)

Sun, Jun 07, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sun, Jun 07, 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!

Mon, Jun 08, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Tue, Jun 09, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Tue, Jun 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
Periodicals Room
Join us for a pop-up story time full of stories, songs, and movement. Ages 0-5. Tickets required. Unense por un cuentacuentos pop-up lleno de cuentos, canciones, y movimiento. Edades 0-5. Boletos

Tue, Jun 09, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Story Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library this summer.

Wed, Jun 10, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Thu, Jun 11, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Thu, Jun 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Periodicals Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.

Fri, Jun 12, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sat, Jun 13, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sun, Jun 14, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Mon, Jun 15, 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 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, Jun 15, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Board Room
Alexandria Library Board meeting

Tue, Jun 16, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Tue, Jun 16, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
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, Jun 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)

Tue, Jun 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Small Conference Room
The book club will promote freedom of expression and support authors whose books have been banned or challenged.

Tue, Jun 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!Register

Wed, Jun 17, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Wed, Jun 17, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)

Wed, Jun 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Grammy-nominated performer Culture Queen for an interactive musical storytelling show and learn the meaning of the Juneteenth holiday. (All ages)

Thu, Jun 18, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Thu, Jun 18, 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, Jun 18, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room,Periodicals Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult.

Thu, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Small Conference 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!

Thu, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Bring your doll and celebrate Freedom Day with American Girl’s Addy! We will have stories, games, crafts, music, and thematic snacks. In the event of inclement weather, program will be cancelled.

Thu, Jun 18, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!

Sat, Jun 20, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!

Sat, Jun 20, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sat, Jun 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.

Sat, Jun 20, 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!

Sun, Jun 21, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Sun, Jun 21, 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!

Sun, Jun 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!

Mon, Jun 22, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Mon, Jun 22, 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 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, Jun 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Drop in to play pretend, make some crafts, and learn about the pollinators who keep our world buzzing in celebration of National Pollinator Week. (ages 2-12)

Tue, Jun 23, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.

Tue, Jun 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
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, Jun 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
25 W Reed Ave.
This exciting program introduces five or more animals from around the world. Learn about their habitats, diets and some of the amazing adaptations that help them to survive in the wild. (Ages 6-12)

Tue, Jun 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Conference Room
Ages 12-18. Talk about this month's book and share reading suggestions!

Tue, Jun 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)