An international salute for Canadian soldiers buried in Italy ended in Ortona on Monday.

Some Canadian students attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery and brought along a personal gift - a wreath of handprints, crafted in Manitoba, with messages of thanks across the ocean.

Mackayla Beaumont's cousins Corrin Fraser and Morley Roney inspired her school's tribute. The 91-year-old man from Wawanesa served in Italy during the Second World War.

“It was hell on earth, as far as I’m concerned,” said Roney.

His cousin in Italy, Corrin Fraser, helped him solve a 70-year mystery, finding Morley's comrade’s grave and the fallen soldier's family who'd been searching for him for decades. That sparked an international salute from hundreds of Canadians, who sent thousands of flags and gifts to place on graves in Italy, which led to the first-ever Remembrance Day service at Coriano Ridge War Cemetery on Sunday.

“It's nice to shed some light on the Italian campaign,” said Fraser.

Master Warrant Officer Derek Millard attended on behalf of the Canadian military. “We thought we'd reciprocate the invitation of her inviting us to Coriano and her to come here.”

Nearly 6,000 Canadians died in Italy during the Second World War. A quarter of them rest in Moro River Canadian War Cemetery after losing their lives in Ortona.

“This is the campaign that is generally deemed to be the forgotten campaign of the Canadian Forces,” said Peter McGovern, Canada’s ambassador to Italy.

Forgotten no longer for Canadians touched by the family's efforts, one of them a commander in NATO headquarters.

“These grassroots sort of individual acts to demonstrate the act of remembrance are almost more special then the official ceremonies, in a way, because they come right from the heart,” said Lt.-Gen. John Vance.

The general was so touched he decided to honour Fraser and Roney personally. "I met the general and he gave this lovely coin to dad and Corrin for all they've done for all Canadians," said Roney’s daughter, Janice MacDonald.

“The general recognized it, so that means a lot, and I really hope it means a lot to Morley too,” said Fraser.

Roney couldn't make the trip to Italy, but is glad his comrades who couldn't make the trip home received a special honour this Remembrance Day. This Christmas marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Ortona.

- With a report by Alesia Fieldberg