NORWICH – Bradley Ward, a local boy scout with Troop 63 in Norwich, is fulfilling more than one legacy as he prepares to receive his Eagle Scout award, the tenth member of his family to do so.

Ward is also a fourth generation Eagle Scout, a tradition that began with his great-grandfather Herbert G. Horton in 1935. Horton was a co-founder and first scouting advisor to the founding chapter of scouting’s college fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, at LaFayette College in Pennsylvania. His son, H. George Horton Jr. also became an Eagle Scout, as did Bradley’s great-uncle John “Zeke” Ward.

“Zeke” is also a World War II veteran and a missionary to the Native Americans, for which he received the Good Shepherd Award.

The third generation of Wards, beginning with Tim Ward in 1966, saw five members of the family receiving their Eagle Scout, including Matthew, David, Steve and Dan.

“I was the last of five brothers to get Eagle Scout in Troop 63 ... it was a running joke that if you’re a Ward in 63, you better get Eagle,” said Bradley’s father, Daniel Ward.

Finally, in the fourth generation of Ward Eagle scouts are Brad’s cousin David Ward, Jr. and Bradley himself, who said he’s excited to carry on the legacy.