I too was there for the 60th and met many veterans from the U.S., Canada, and the UK who told remarkable stories about Normandy and beyond. The people in Normandy are still very grateful to United States and polite to American visitors.
When I was there, I got to know a family who lives near La Fiere, not far from the Iron Mike memorial. Many years after the war, they had recovered a treasure trove of artifacts while farming their fields including Garands, canteens, and other personal effects, enough to start a small museum.