Photo by Joe Imel/Daily News Four of five Heinze brothers are Eagle Scouts. From left are: Jordan, Julian, Jeffrey, Jackson and Jonathan. Jeffrey Heinze received his Eagle Scout badge Sunday at the Houchens Center for Women. He is the youngest of the brothers to earn the award. Two of his older brothers took leave from military to attend Sunday’s event.

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Becoming an Eagle Scout is a rare honor - except in the Heinze family.

On Sunday, Jeffrey Heinze got his Eagle Scout badge in front of a room full of family and friends at the Eloise B. Houchens Center for Women.

The 16-year-old Bowling Green High School sophomore became the fourth son of Julie and John Heinze to become an Eagle Scout. Two of his brothers took leave from their military duties to watch Sunday’s ceremony.

“The pride in my heart is overwhelming,” Julie Heinze said. “It’s been so much fun. They are the joy of my life, and I can’t imagine life without Scouting. It teaches character, fortitude and citizenship.”

Being a Boy Scout in the Heinze household wasn’t really an option. Julie and John Heinze’s sons have all been Boy Scouts - four of them now have Eagle Scout status and one is on the way to reaching the same honor as his brothers.

“Jonathan broke the ice,” Jeffrey Heinze said. “Julian followed with the rest us behind him.”

Each son - Jonathan Heinze, 27, who is in the Air Force; Julian Heinze, 23, who is in the Navy; Jordan Heinze, 19, whose Eagle Scout project was sending used board games to troops in Iraq; and Jackson Heinze, 12, a student at Bowling Green Junior High School - began their time as Tiger Cubs in the second grade, Julie Heinze said.

Julian Heinze said it was important for him to be here for his brother.

“This is really emotional,” he said.

Julian Heinze said he still keeps his Eagle Scout card as a reminder of all he was taught.

“It’s pretty amazing the commitment (Jeffrey) put forth. He’ll be ready for whatever life throws at him.”

Jeffrey Heinze - who received 13 merit badges more than the 21 required for Eagle Scout status - decided that for his 100-hour Eagle Scout service project he would create a shade garden at the Houchens Center. The project was hard work, he said. But with the help of his troop and family, it was “a piece of cake,” he said.

Before Julie Heinze pinned her son, officially making him an Eagle Scout, Troop 79 Scoutmaster Ernie Goovas told of Jeffrey’s accomplishments.

“We’re not here to honor 100 Scouts, just one,” Goovas said.

Goovas said as a Scout, Jeffrey is an outdoorsman, a good citizen and a good family member.

“This is amazing,” Jeffrey Heinze said with tears streaming down his face. “I don’t think I’ve ever had this much honor. Nothing could match this. It’s overwhelming.”

Julian Heinze said he remembers when Jonathan Heinze got his Eagle Scout honor and how much it meant, and how much he wanted that, too.

“I can look up to him now,” Jackson Heinze said of his newly designated Eagle Scout brother. “All my brothers are Eagle Scouts.”

Jackson Heinze said while he’s encouraged some of his peers to join Boy Scouts, some think Boy Scouts isn’t important.

“But I know best,” he said. “Boy Scouting is my future until I reach Eagle Scout, and I’m excited for my time to ... follow in brothers’ footsteps.”