Funeral Details for RADM Donald “Mac” Showers.

Macbillie

Extended Family, Colleagues and Friends,

With people getting ready to travel to Washington for Mac’s interment with full military honors at 1500 on Monday, 15 April, at Arlington National Cemetery, I thought I would get you an update on the schedule as I understand it. Usual practice is to muster at the Visitors Center at least a half hour early- though given the size of the crowd expected, I anticipate personally arriving closer to 1400 than 1430. The Visitor’s Center is best accessed from the Memorial Bridge main entrance (The Women in Military Service Memorial is right there.) The security guards will wave you through the gate with a left turn and the Center will be on the left after the Administrative Center.

As you know, this is going to be an emotional event. For all of us, Mac was man in full: an innovative OPINTEL pioneer, the personification of a glorious community history, a superb leader, good friend, mentor and tireless volunteer supporting people coping with the cruelest of diseases. This is an important event on many levels, from the celebration of a life well-lived to the creation of a set of unique cultural values and the single most famous analytic solution to the riddle of Japanese intentions prior to the battle of Midway that changed the course of history.

We will have copies of the NIP Quarterly Mac Tribute issue available at the reception for those who may not have received one.

Dress/Uniform: Business dress or Class A Uniform. There has been a swelling sentiment that the epic events of Mac’s life support the wearing of the uniform by the retired Flag community and other senior officers (assuming they still fit). Questions have come in about what that uniform might be: white gloves and large medals? Personally, I am going to go with basic Service Dress Blue with ribbons since I intend to be taking photos. I think this event calls for whatever you feel is appropriate, and whichever class SBDs you have is perfectly appropriate.

Willow

Reception: The Showers family will host an informal reception at Mac’s favorite watering hole, Tracey O’Grady’s Willow Restaurant after the funeral. Willow is located at 4301 N Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 465-8800. From Arlington National Cemetery:

1. Head northwest toward Memorial Dr