Green Flash:
The look in an old Cloggy's eyes said it all really, and we couldn't buy a beer all night.
I had the privilege in the early 70's to do the commemorative drop of one stick of the Paras onto the Arnhem DZ. Bloody great piece of heathland real estate entirely populated by Dutch civilians out to pay homage to the memory of those who fought and died in and around their town. They very considerately left a postage stamp square of a DZ for the Nav to aim at. Fortunately his aim was good, the drop declared a success and the crew invited out to sample the hospitality of the Dutch Air Force. The rest remains a bit of a blur...
As you say remembrance is strong in their culture and religiously passed down the generations. I have no such impression of French National remembrance of any other than their own, but accept of course that Regions and individuals often conflict with such a sweeping judgement, eg Diefpil. Well said Sir!