That was my exact feeling when seeing all of our flags being flown at Half-staff for what happened in Paris.
I formulated my feelings for the French when living there as an Army Brat from 64-66. Fontainebleau is where my Dad was stationed and I remember all of the crap the socialists were doing that eventually the Vichy clan had us leave.
I hated them in the general Paris area because of their indifference, arrogance and scorn for Americans but I came to respect the people of Normandie when we traveled occasionally to Dreux and Evreux for the bowling league. One of the most memorable was the one time we went to the shores of Normandie and walked the beach of Omaha.
From what I am told, the good people of Normandie still get it.
I like to remind those foreigners who do not respect the USA that if America was bad...(wait)...their first language would be English.