Cub Scouts walk up the driveway at Connor’s house to congratulate him on his advancement. Photo by Kira Nettleton

ARLINGTON, Tenn.––Connor Nettleton, a first grade soccer player and a wrestler, was not able to attend a May 6 Cub Scout ceremony at Arlington UMC as he was recovering from kidney surgery.

The rest of the pack celebrated rank advancements with a “crossover service” in which they received neckerchief for indicating their new rank.

Connor was rushed to the emergency room with severe stomach pains, and on April 25th surgeons at LeBonheur Hospital performed an emergency operation in which stents were placed in both of his kidneys.

“We had no idea he had this, so his kidneys have been very slowly failing over the last 7 1/2 years,” said Connor’s mother, Kira. A second major surgery on May 1st repaired the obstruction in his right kidney. In two months he will have a similar surgery to repair his left kidney.

Connor was disappointed that he could not attend the service to mark his advancement from Tiger to Wolf.

Mickey Keaton, a pack leader with a huge heart for kids, had an idea. He called Kira and asked if he could have a private ceremony at Connor’s home.

What Connor, Kira and CT Nettleton (Connor’s father) didn’t know was that when Connor walked outside, the entire pack––110 kids and their parents-- stood on the driveway to congratulate Connor on his rank advancement.

“Having everyone show up for the crossover ceremony meant much more to us than the pack could imagine,” said Kira. “Connor still got to feel like he was part of the group, and he was so happy that night. It felt great to see him smile. We are truly blessed to part of such an amazing group of people.”