Eagles Far From Extinct

Eagles Galore

Scouting was introduced to the United States in 1910. Thane D. Winward was born in Whitney, Idaho in 1914. Ezra Taft Benson began his career in Scouting as an assistant Scoutmaster in the Whitney Ward 1918. Later he became the Scoutmaster in Whitney and, for a short time, Thane was one of his Scouts.

After Thane married Evelyn Larsen in 1939, they settled on a little farm east of Whitney in an area known as Egypt. They had four children while they lived there, but, having an opportunity to better their situation, they moved to a larger farm in Dayton, Idaho in 1944. Not long after they got settled, Thane was asked to be the Scoutmaster in Dayton. He took the responsibility seriously. He figured if he was going to be effective, he needed to know what he was doing. Consequently, he studied the program and began the process of advancing in Scouting, just like the boys he was teaching. Back then an adult could still earn an Eagle Scout Award and that is exactly what he did. Thane was a man who believed in setting an example.

Life went on and eight more children came to bless the home of Thane and Evelyn Winward. They ended up with twelve children – seven sons and five daughters. Thane continued as Scoutmaster off and on throughout the years. His untiring efforts and

example began to pay off as first one Scout and then another progressed along the trail and finally attained the Eagle Scout rank.

The time came that Thane’s own sons began to enter the Scouting program. First one son and then another advanced through the ranks and

earned the Eagle Scout Award until all seven sons became Eagle Scouts. That, in itself, is quite an accomplishment and quite a record, but the story continues. Through the years, the family continued to grow and grandchildren began to arrive on the scene. Before many years had passed, 63 grandchildren would arrive, 37 of which were grandsons. As time went on, each grandson entered the Scouting program and began to advance. As tradition dictated, first one grandson and then another, earned the Eagle Scout Award.

By this time, Thane had been honored by receiving the Silver Beaver, and Evelyn had been equally honored by receiving the Silver Fawn. Grandson after grandson followed tradition and the number of Eagle Scouts began to increase. Thane and Evelyn were proud of each and every one. Thane passed away in 1992 and Evelyn passed away in 2001. The die had been cast as the Eagles continued to multiply. In July 2008, grandson #37 was awarded his Eagle Scout Award, following the example of his grandfather, his seven uncles, and his 36 cousins before him. Many of those who married Thane’s daughters and granddaughters also are Eagle Scouts, and great-grandsons are now continuing the tradition in force. Thane and Evelyn must surely be proud.

Article & photo by Bruce Winward, son & Sam Winward, grandson

Thane D. Winward Family Eagle Scouts

Row 1 (Sons): Dennis Winward, Steven Winward, Bruce Winward, Blair Winward, Thane D. Winward Jr., LaMar Winward, Calvin Winward

Row 2: Valden Winward, Justin Warner, DeVere Day, Jordan Hunsaker, Miles Hunsaker, Jeff Hunsaker, Christopher Winward, Bryan Winward, Spencer Winward, Ryan Carlson, Sam Winward, Sean Milligan, Troy Winward, Robert Milligan, Lance Winward, Jason Winward, Chris Wertz, Thane D. Winward III, Chad Winward, Daniel Winward

Row 3: John Winward, Bryce Winward, Clark Winward, Matt Isaacson, Kyle Day, Allan Day, Brandon Day, Kerry Day, Jay Winward, Ken Richey

Row 4: Jarrod Milligan, Nate Hansen, Brent Smith, Richard Ellis, Caleb Winward, Kyle Crump, Michael Ellis, Craig Ellis, Matthew Winward

Not Pictured: Kenneth Palmer, Coltan Palmer, Thane Palmer, Nathan Winward, Brent Eager, Matt Young, Ben Heap, Kevin Day (deceasd), Trevor Budge, Jonathan Hart, Justin Jenkins, Jeff Smart, Robert Mackenzie, Mark Ellis, Tyler Ellis, Wade Ellis, Thomas Winward, Kenneth Winward, Rhett Winward, Abinadi Milligan