In a heartrending scene that touched the hearts of many, a dog that had valiantly served three tours in Afghanistan alongside the US Marines received a poignant farewell in Michigan before being laid to rest.
Cena, a distinguished 10-year-old black Labrador, was given a hero’s send-off on a Wednesday that will be etched in memory. Just days before this solemn moment, his devoted owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung, fulfilled a bucket list for the ailing canine, their last endeavor together.
The poignant event drew a multitude of individuals who had come to pay their respects to Cena, who was adorned in a dignified blue Marine vest. The venue was Muskegon, where the USS LST 393 museum ship bore witness to this final salute before Cena’s journey came to an end through euthanasia.
With tears streaming down his face, DeYoung tenderly carried Cena’s body, draped in the stars and stripes of the US flag, as the loyal companion was gently put to sleep.
US Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung bids farewell to his cancer-stricken black lab, Cena, in Michigan on a poignant Wednesday.
Cena, who had been diagnosed with bone cancer a mere two weeks prior, had been an integral bomb-sniffing member of the Marines until his retirement back in 2014.
Their story unfolded in 2009 and 2010 during a combat tour in Afghanistan, where DeYoung and Cena formed an unbreakable bond. After their shared service came to an end, DeYoung welcomed Cena into his home, not just as a pet, but as a service dog to assist him in coping with the burdens of post-traumatic stress disorder.
DeYoung’s voice trembled as he recounted their journey: “My entire adult life, Cena has been my constant companion. From the time I was a 19-year-old learning responsibility overseas, to now at 27, bidding farewell to one of the most significant chapters of my life.”
Through trials and dangers, DeYoung and Cena stood side by side. Cena’s warmth comforted DeYoung on freezing desert nights, and his unwavering presence offered solace when the toll of combat took seven of DeYoung’s friends in just three weeks. Across rivers and amidst Taliban attacks, Cena’s loyalty remained steadfast, a beacon of courage and comfort in the midst of adversity.
