Zack Anderson and his older brother, Don, have always liked similar activities ? from academics to water polo. And, beginning today, Zack will follow his brother again as he begins Plebe Summer at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Don, a 2006 Naval Academy graduate and an ensign bound for Navy SEAL training, will administer the oath of office to Zack in a private family ceremony before Zack falls in with the rest of his company to begin one of the toughest summers of his college career.
“It?s kind of weird because he?s an officer now, so as soon as I?m sworn in I?m going to have to salute him and call him ?sir,? ” Zack said Tuesday afternoon.
The Anderson brothers both attended Calvert Hall College High School in Towson. Don graduated in 2002.
He played on the school?s water polo team, which won the first of five straight championships, and was recognized for his achievement in the school?s intensive McMullen Scholars Program.
Four years later, Zack graduated from the same high school, also a member of a championship water polo team and a McMullen scholar.
“They?re the perfect type of kids to be midshipmen because of the leadership they displayed and because of the way they got along with everyone,” said Andy Moore, director of the McMullen Program, who taught both Andersons. “They didn?t shy away from challenges. That?s what you want from your students ? to beleaders outside the classroom.”
Military service has been a family tradition for the Andersons. Their mother, Betty, served as a nurse in the Air National Guard, and their father, Don Sr., served in the Navy in Vietnam. A grandfather was also in the Merchant Marines.
“The Academy?s something we grew up with,” Zack said. “We always had swim meets here.”
Still, he admitted that he was a little nervous about his first few weeks.
“As much as I know the stories [about my brother?s experiences], it?s one thing to hear the stories: It?s another to actually live them,” he said.
