A cancer-stricken dog who served three tours in Afghanistan with the US Marines received a heartfelt farewell from hundreds of people in Michigan.
At the USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, 10-year-old black lab Cena had a hero's farewell on Wednesday before being put to death and sent away in a flag-draped coffin.
Prior to his retirement in 2014, Cena was a Marine bomb-sniffer. He was just diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Jeff Young, who adopted Cena in 2014 and was partnered with him during a 2009 and 2010 military deployment in Afghanistan, planned the party for him. In order to help DeYoung with his PTSD, Cena was subsequently trained to be his service dog.
Prior to his retirement in 2014, Cena was a Marine bomb-sniffer. He was just diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. Jeff Young, who adopted Cena in 2014 and was partnered with him during a 2009 and 2010 military deployment in Afghanistan, planned the party for him. In order to help DeYoung with his PTSD, Cena was subsequently trained to be his service dog.
"I've had Cena my entire adult life, who le," DeYoung continued. "When I was 19 and learning how to be responsible abroad, I had Cena." And at the age of 27, I must bid farewell to one of the most significant aspects of my life.
Under Taliban fire, DeYoung said he threw Cena's body over his and dragged him over rivers. He claimed that after DeYoung lost seven friends in three weeks, Cena comforted him and kept his body warm on chilly desert nights.
In a topless Jeep that was painted with the words "Cancer Response Team," DeYoung gave his dog one more ride as part of the festivities.
"He really deserved it all, and it started with me basically wanting to go to a dealership and wanting to borrow a Jeep for a day and really small to a community tribute or a community parade for him," DeYoung said. "He can see and feel the love and support that people are giving him."
The event was attended by police from the Muskegon Fire Department, Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, Muskegon City Police, Michigan State Police, the US Marine Corps League, and several other agencies, including a canine officer called Rex. With "Taps" playing in the background, attendees gave Cena, who was wearing a decorated blue Marine vest, a last three-volley salute.
Chaplain Wesley Spyke prayed before the crowd, saying, "Lord, we are sending another Marine to you today with heavy hearts."
To raise funds for Cena's headstone, a GoFundMe page has been set up.
"Any dog that served abroad deserves just as much as I've done for Cena," he remarked.