War Dog Buried in Michigan War Dog Memorial Near South Lyon
August 27, 2017
Around 200 people gathered Saturday for the burial of Cena's ashes at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in Oakland County's Lyon Township. The 10-year-old black lab was interred with other military service dogs at the cemetery, where early 20 dogs are interred. State Sen. Mike Kowall said Cena "has done a fabulous job" and now "is welcomed home.” The dog was a bomb-sniffer for the Marines until retiring in 2014 when he was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer. At that time Cena became a service dog for Lance Cpl. Jeff DeYoung, his first wartime partner. DeYoung said Cena was injured in every tour, and underwent rehabilitation for a year. DeYoung organized a celebration last month that drew hundreds before Cena was euthanized at a museum ship in Muskegon and carried off in a flag-draped coffin. A GoFundme website which has raised over $60,000 has been established to help with Cena’s last wishes. (TT)