“Heartwarming Conclusion: A Marine’s Tearful Goodbye to Loyal Teammates in the Fight Against Bone Cancer”

AP said hundreds of people came to say goodbye to Cena, a dog with bone cancer who served in the US Marine Corps, in Muskegon (Michigan state, USA) on July 26.

Cena, 10 years old, is a Labrador Retriever dog (often called Lab). It used to be a special forces dog of the US Marine Corps with the task of detecting bombs. Cena participated in 3 tours of duty in Afghanistan before “discharging” in 2014.

Former corporal Jeff DeYoung, who was “paired” with Cena in 2009-2010, held a memorial service for the dog. Cena was euthanized on the warship, now the museum USS LST-393 in Muskegon.

“I’ve been with Cena my whole adult life,” DeYoung said. “When I was 19, abroad and learning to be responsible, I was with Cena. And now at 27, I have to say goodbye to one of the most important parts of my life.”

DeYoung said he once hugged Cena across the river and used his body to shield the dog under Taliban gunfire. He said Cena kept him warm on cold nights in the desert and comforted him when he lost seven teaMMAtes in three weeks. In the photo, Cena is sitting in a jeep prepared by DeYoung for the last trip of his “best friend”.

DeYoung holds the coffin containing Cena’s body after the dog was euthanized. After they both retired from the Military in 2014, Cena was there to help DeYoung overcome his post-war psychological disorder. Cena was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer 2 weeks ago.

Representatives of the US Marine Corps, Michigan police, Muskegon police and many citizens attended the ceremony. A fundraising page has also been opened to raise money to erect a tombstone for Cena.