Yah, I can relate to that feeling. It irks me when I hear them talk about how Omaha was the toughest beach to take. No, no it wasn't. Juno was, that's why they sent the Canadians and not the Yanks.
Omaha had the hardest time, and some say they would have failed if the Canadians and others, had not been so successful that they were able to help with Omaha after taking the toughest beach.
The Americans greatest contributions to the war effort came from their women back home that kept the factorys running.
The old joke goes: when the Germans fire, the British duck. When the British fire, the Germans duck. When the Americans fire, everyone ducks.
But here I go sounding like I am bragging again, so I should stop that. Besides, they may have been late for the party, but they did show up, and many great Americans gave their lives for the cause. So if they want to blow their horn, they did earn it.
They did show up, only after the Japanese crashed their party and the Jerries invited them. So rather then show up, they where dragged in. ^
Not to bagalise their effort or sacrifes, it is very much appreciated and respected. The world would have been a totally different place if they had not. I am just putting them in perspective.
Unfortunatly both my grandfathers where taken away from their wives and young children by the Germans to be forced labour in Germany. Leaving their women to survive the hungerwinter all by themselves in the middle of the ruins of Rotterdam.
Priorety was for the allies to reach Berlin to tie their race with the Soviets. Meanwhile 80% of the Netherlands was still occupied and being squeezed for everything we had untill may 1945 by the Germans.
The hate towards them was still very much alive when I grew up in the 80's but since the mid 90's things changed. I think it's the new generation of Germans being much more sympathetic then the old ones. Currently we have evolved to BFF's and they massively visit our country as tourists.
Anyway we know the Canadians very well and we will always respect them for their sacrifices. Atleast the Canadians tend to nuance their role, if you listen to the Yanks to much you start to think they fought the war and beat the Jerries single handedly
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dutch-families-tend-american-graves-2015/
edit:
Apart from the Canadians and Dutch charing a lot of common values (even more then with the British in my eyes) There has been a mass immigration from Dutch farmers to Canada after the war as well. The flowers serve two fine purposes
we can express our gratitude to canadian sacrifices and celebrate our freedom by charing what we do best.
It's an excellent way to promote our country and our agricultural expertise.
We are a nation of traders after all.
You never asked or demanded, so it's a pleasure and a privilige to give.