Retired Naval Officer Collects $1 Million Lottry Prize In Moon

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA — A simple trip to the Uni-Mart on Coraopolis Heights Road proved to be life-changing for Ted Vallandingham. On Dec. 3, the retired Naval officer purchased a winning scratch-off ticket for the Pennsylvania Lottery's $1,000,000 Extreme Green game.

“It was quite amazing," said Vallandingham. “I was in there scratching and I looked and said, ‘Oh, I won $1,000.’ The clerk came over and said, ‘Oh my gosh, you won $1 million.’ It was surreal.”

He added: “I called my wife, and she was in the car with her mother. She didn’t believe me. I was still at the point of shock myself.”

Vallandingham, 65, is a retired aircraft maintenance inspector of 36 years. He also said he served four years in the Navy as a Petty Officer Second Class in aviation under his former Commander and former U.S. Sen. John McCain.

Vallandingham's plans for the big payoff? “I can now pay off my mortgage and those vehicles I purchased for my two teenagers,” he said.

The PA Lottery Scratch-Off $1,000,000 Extreme Green went on sale in August 2021.

To determine if they have won a prize, players can review the ticket, scan it at a Lottery retailer or use the ticket checker feature on the Lottery’s Official App.

Winners should immediately sign the back of the ticket, call the Lottery at 1-800-692-7481 and make an appointment to file a claim at the nearest lottery office.

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