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Military dog that helped fight the Taliban bid a tearful final farewell in US

Hundreds of people in Michigan came together to bid a tear-filled final goodbye to a dog which had served three tours in Afghanistan with the US Marines. Here's why.
Hundreds of people in Michigan came together to bid a tear-filled final goodbye to a dog which had served three tours in Afghanistan with the US Marines. (Photo | AP)
Hundreds of people in Michigan came together to bid a tear-filled final goodbye to a dog which had served three tours in Afghanistan with the US Marines. (Photo | AP)
Associated Press
Updated on: 
1 min read
Cena, the 10-year-old black Labrador, was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until his retirement in 2014. Tragedy struck when it was recently diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. (Photo | AP)
Cena, the 10-year-old black Labrador, was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until his retirement in 2014. Tragedy struck when it was recently diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. (Photo | AP)
Arriving at the decision to euthanise Cena, a hero's farewell was organised by his owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff Young, who was paired with the dog in 2009 and 2010 while on a combat tour in Afghanistan and who adopted him in 2014. (Photo | AP)
Arriving at the decision to euthanise Cena, a hero's farewell was organised by his owner, Lance Cpl. Jeff Young, who was paired with the dog in 2009 and 2010 while on a combat tour in Afghanistan and who adopted him in 2014. (Photo | AP)
'My whole adult life I've had Cena,' DeYoung said. 'When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I'm 27 and I'm having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.' US Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena off the LST 393 where he was put down in downtown Muskegon, Michigan on Wednesday. (Photo | AP)
'My whole adult life I've had Cena,' DeYoung said. 'When I was 19 overseas learning how to be responsible, I had Cena. And now I'm 27 and I'm having to say goodbye to one of the biggest pieces of my life.' US Marine veteran Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena off the LST 393 where he was put down in downtown Muskegon, Michigan on Wednesday. (Photo | AP)
The ceremony was attended by the US Marine Corps League, Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, Muskegon City Police, Muskegon Fire Department and officers from several other departments. Cena after the farewell was euthanised at the USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, and carried off in a flag-draped coffin. (Photo | AP)
The ceremony was attended by the US Marine Corps League, Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriff's Office, Muskegon City Police, Muskegon Fire Department and officers from several other departments. Cena after the farewell was euthanised at the USS LST 393, a museum ship in Muskegon, and carried off in a flag-draped coffin. (Photo | AP)
Attendees gave one final three-volley salute with 'Taps' playing in the background for Cena, who was wearing a decorated blue Marine vest. Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena aboard the LST 393 where he was put down on Wednesday. (Photo | AP)
Attendees gave one final three-volley salute with 'Taps' playing in the background for Cena, who was wearing a decorated blue Marine vest. Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung carries Cena aboard the LST 393 where he was put down on Wednesday. (Photo | AP)
A GoFundMe page was set up for donations to help build a headstone for Cena. 'Any dog that served overseas deserves exactly what I've done for Cena, if not more,' DeYoung said. (Photo | AP)
A GoFundMe page was set up for donations to help build a headstone for Cena. 'Any dog that served overseas deserves exactly what I've done for Cena, if not more,' DeYoung said. (Photo | AP)
Military dog farewell
Cena
US Marines dog
US dog farewell
Jeff Young

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