Ottawa veterans kick off Olympic torch's 46th day

The Olympic torch made one last run through Ottawa on Monday before heading through eastern Ontario to Cornwall, Akwesasne, Brockville, Kingston and communities in between.

Canadian Forces Cpl. Andrew Knisley of London, Ont., who lost his right leg and seriously injured his right arm in Afghanistan in January, was the first to carry the torch after it was lit across the street from Parliament Hill around 6:45 a.m. ET.

Knisley said he was pleased to carry the torch in Ottawa because it was where he learned to walk again and regained the use of his right arm.

"It's thanks to the people here in Ottawa and the rehab centre and just the community support in general that I'm actually here today," he said.

Later in the morning, the torch wastaken upby a local veteran of another war. Ed Timson, a former member of three air forces the British, New Zealand and Canadian fought in the Second World War. Hecarried the torch through Orlans, in the city's east end, while seated in his wheelchair, and he described the experience as "unbelievable."

"And the people waiting for me when I got here wonderful, wonderful," he said.

The torch continued east to Rockland, then south through Hammond, Limoges andCasselman to Cornwall and the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. In the afternoon, itwent west, with scheduled stops in Morrisburg, Prescott, Brockville and Gananoque. It was to arrive in Kingston for a community celebration at 6 p.m.

Monday was the 46th day of the 106-day, 45,000-kilometre Olympic torch relay across Canada leading up to the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.