I totally get that. I'm Canadian, and Canadians aren't the most openly patriotic/nationalistic types, I think in large part because of our much more openly patriotic neighbours to the south! And nationalism in Canada for English Canadians tends to mostly evoke the French-Canadian separatist movement in Quebec, while in Quebec, a "patriote" is not unlike how you describe the use of patriot in the US.

My preferred quote is from Albert Camus: "And I should like to be able to love my country and still love justice. I don't want any greatness for it, particularly a greatness born of blood and falsehood. I want to keep it alive by keeping justice alive."