Tweed woman travels to Korea to celebrate armistice
A FORMER hairdresser from Tweed Heads has jetted overseas to participate in memorial services marking the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
Katherine Hare is an aircraft woman in the Royal Australian Air Force and a member of Australia's Federation Guard.
The 24-year-old is one of 13 guardsmen currently in Korea supporting events to mark 60-years since the end of hostilities on the Korean Peninsula.
They have been joined by Korean War veterans from all over Australia.
Before her departure the former Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar and Palm Beach Currumbin High School student said she was excited to be part of the commemorative services.
"I am looking forward to visiting Korea, to the historic battlefields where many Australians fought and died," she said.
"I am also looking forward to meeting and talking to the veterans and hearing about their experiences in Korea."
Katherine and her fellow guardsmen spent many long hours preparing for their visit to Korea.
They rehearsed their drill many times over on the parade ground at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra and at the official opening and closing ceremonies of the Hall of Remembrance at the Australian War Memorial.
"We also had to prepare mentally," she said.
"We were given briefings on Korea and the War so we were fully aware of where we were going and why.
"We were also given a guided tour of the Korean War exhibition at the War Memorial and were joined by some Korean War veterans who explained aspects of the many exhibits."
