Cena saved Jeff DeYoung’s life countless times. In Afghanistan. And back in the States.
Cena, a 10 year old Lab, served as a Marine bomb-detection dog. His job was to go out with his handler in front of the infantry, trained to detect 300 different kinds of explosives, mines, and roadside bombs. Which Cena did. Over 1,100 times.
He served three tours in Afghanistan, from 2009 to 2014, including being on the very front lines in the largest and most casualty-filled operation of the war, Operation Moshtarak. President Obama sent in tens of thousands of Marines to counter the Taliban. During a 20 day period, Jeff’s unit lost 7 men, three of them very close to the young corporal. It is in that period that Cena detected over 400 explosives, and which fellow Marines credit him with saving their lives.
Cena was credited with saving literally hundreds if not thousands of lives, both American and Afghani.
Says Jeff, “During our patrols, I would cradle Cena and carry him across canals. I used my body to shield my partner during firefights. In turn, Cena would snuggle beside me at night, using his body heat to keep me, his battle buddy warm,” and “ He was a great comfort to me each and every time i lost a friend.”
But it was ex Marine Corporal DeYoung’s life that Cena saved when they returned to the states.
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They were paired-up in 2009. In 2010, DeYoung returned stateside, whilst Cena had two more handlers until a hip injury ended his service overseas in 2014. And the Marines, through an organization called American Humane, which helps vets and military dogs, sent him to be with Jeff as a service dog, and they were reunited.
Which was a good thing. especially for what Jeff was going through at the time. He went through a divorce. Couldn’t find employment. All due to a severe case of PTSD. He often found himself in the bathtub crying. After the loss of a number of battle buddies, Cena kept him from committing suicide. More than once.
”It was me and him against the world overseas. And now it was me and him against the world back home. And that changed our war.”
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Recently, Cena was having trouble putting weight on one leg. The diagnosis was a fast moving bone cancer. And the military vet said that Cena only had a few weeks to live. And was in pain.
Jeff made a few tearful calls. And that was all it took.
Jacobie Baumann, a fellow Marine, started an online fundraiser with the hopes of getting enough money for a headstone and statue for Cena, and to have Cena’s two other handlers flown in for the service. More than 1,600 people responded, pledging nearly $70,000 in donations.
And then their hometown of Muskegon, Michigan flew into action.
Anything and everything that Jeff desired for his ‘bucket-list’ for his friend was offered. The open-air jeep so they could see the country-side and along the lakeshore. Restaurants offering steak dinners. Clubs and dealerships offering whatever was needed. Thousands of calls and emails from vets and civilians alike. A local tailor made a set of custom dress blues for Cena, which he would wear before the trip to the veterinarian.
"Every Marine has to go out in a set of dress blues," said DeYoung. "That's just the way we are. He's got his ribbons, he's got his decorations, he's dressed to the nines. He got a fresh grooming service today and we are ready to make peace with what we have to do."
And then...the day that Jeff wished would never come.
“I want to run away and not face what I must do, but he needs me to be strong and set him free. Because of him I got to have a family. Because of him I was able to live. May God forgive me for what I do tomorrow. And may the Lord greet you with open arms and a nice ear scratch.”
“I feel as if I have lost the most humble and kind part of my soul. Cena made me a better man and I owe him the world for it.”
A procession of 200 cars...100 of them jeeps, and over 100 motorcycles. The ceremony was attended by veterans from around the state. Some flew from across the country. U.S. Marine Corps League, Michigan State Police, Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office, Muskegon City Police, Muskegon Fire Department and officers from several other departments, the Boy and Girl Scouts, members of animal loving groups and townsfolk, there to give homage and honor to both Cena and to Jeff. Cena and his best friend took their final walk as the town, fellow service members and public officials gave one final salute.
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There were three volleys of rifle fire. Silence. A bugler blew ‘Taps.’
As friends and fellow patriots saluted, Jeff carried Cena past the crowd of well-wishers as they boarded a decommissioned Navy ship. It was there on Wednesday where his best friend, lame and in pain….was euthanized.
“I’m going to miss him, and stepping on his squeaky toys, and just everything else about our life together. I know it’s coming to an end.”
“My whole adult life I’ve had Cena. 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.”
Inscribed on the urn for Cena is ‘It was you and me against the world. Rest easy, little brother.’
"I'll take it one day at a time. It's the only thing we can do."
Said the Marine chaplain, Wesley Spyke, at the service... “Lord, it is with heavy hearts that we are sending another Marine to you today.”
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