Josh Chalmers

Multimedia Editor

For one day this summer the Strathmore 903 Squadron Air Cadets normally strict routine was broken up television cameras and a Canadian celebrity when Rick Mercer joined the Strathmore, as well as an Olds, squadron for filming of his television show.

The group of seven Strathmore cadets had already earned the gliding experience as a reward for their hard work over the year. They found out only one day before the Aug. 26 visit with Mercer, at the Netook Gliding Centre, that they would get the chance to be on national television.

"I found out Friday night but three of the people that were there with us didn't find out until Saturday morning," said Cadet Marie-Lynn Grigg.

The experience was fantastic according to many of the attendees.

"It was actually a lot of fun, he was a lot cooler than I would have expected," said Johnathan Larden.

The Strathmore and Olds squadrons went through some drills with Mercer as well as some guided mugging for the cameras.

"The most fun was when Rick started directing the drill, he'd have the front row pass out into our arms or all of us doing the wave," said Brandon Karp.

The experience wasn't without it's own nervousness as the group hadn't drilled in months.

"It was really weird to go back to drill because we hadn't done it in a couple of months," said Grigg. "There were a few mess-ups, with it being on national TV it was like 'oh good, they got to see that."

Cadet Kelsey Howard was impressed by Mercer's interest in the cadet program.

"It was cool to see him because you see him on TV. It was nice to see that since he was a former cadet that he still cared about cadets," said Howard.

The experience was a unique one for all of the cadets.

"It's not something we normally get to do in cadets. When people think of cadets they generally think of nerds and costumes and prancing around. So being able to see that we got to see Rick Mercer was something new for us," said Grigg.

Jacquelline Larden hopes that the promotion of the program is invaluable.

"It's a good thing," she said. "The more cadets you can get the bigger the squadron and the more stuff you get to do generally."

The filmed content will be on the Rick Mercer Report on CBC in the near future but no specific air date was given.