A quick story:
When I lived in GE, I went to a model airplane clubs big 'flugtag' (sp?) and close to the end of the show, all the children ran out into the field and picked up candy that was being dropped from a large model airplane.
I'm sure you know of the original story.
It moved me to tears because it seemed to be a 'tribute' to Americans, and having not spoken to anyone except to order a beer, I'm pretty sure I was about the only American there (it was a small town) (Griesheim).
I'll never forget that.
In other words, I just milled about the crowd. They weren't doing this to impress anyone it seemed to be rooted in the genuine gratitude the German people must have felt 50 years before my arrival.