Etiquette

Here’s an AP story, verbatim:

The US military released 85 Afghans from jails at its Bagram and Kandahar bases yesterday after deciding they posed no threat. The 85 all swore loyalty to the Afghan government and were given gifts and cash. They had been held for between three months and 2 years.

I’m trying to visualize this scene, and I can’t quite do it. What sort of gift is appropriate under these circumstances? Does Hallmark make a “sorry for holding you captive for no good reason” card? And when receiving such a gift, is a thank-you card de rigeur? And were they made to recite an actual oath of loyalty, and how was it worded?