John Kerry awarded French Legion of Honor for peace-making

PARIS — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is now an officer in France’s Legion of Honor.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault bestowed the award on Kerry on Saturday after the two held talks on Syria’s war.

Calling him a “friend to France,” the Foreign Ministry said he earned the distinction for “his indefatigable efforts in favour of peace.”

Accepting the award, an emotional Kerry recalled visiting Normandy D-Day beaches as a child with his French mother, and watching her cry.