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SAXTON, Pa. (WTAJ) \u2014 A Bedford County man who retired from the U.S. Navy struck it rich by winning a million-dollar lottery jackpot.<\/p>\n
The big winner, 58-year-old Kenneth Bilger, who goes by \u201cJR,\u201d has lived in Pennsylvania since 2002. On May 9, he stopped in at Martin General Stores on Main Street in Saxton and purchased a few lottery tickets. By the time he got to the last one, he hit it big.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was floored. It was a trip,\u201d Bilger told lottery officials. \u201cThis is a lot more money than I\u2019m accustomed to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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PA Lottery Corporate Sales Manager Paul Monella, Winner Kenneth \u201cJR\u201d Bilger and his wife, Becky.<\/p>\n
Bigler said the most he\u2019s ever won from the lottery was $1,500, just a fraction of his new big win.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to check the ticket three or four times,\u201d he said. \u201cI was shaking and flushed. A guy walking out thought he was going to have to call an ambulance for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to say that his wife and daughter didn\u2019t believe he won when he called, but when he showed it to his other daughter, reality set in for the family.<\/p>\n
Bilger added that the money will be used to help his wife retire and for his hobby of restoring old trucks.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn behalf of the Pennsylvania Lottery, I would like to congratulate Kenneth on this incredible $1 million win,\u201d said\u00a0Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. \u201cWe are thrilled to see this prize helping Kenneth and his family enjoy greater financial freedom and pursue the things they love. We also want to again thank Martin General Stores for their valued partnership in serving our players and supporting the Lottery\u2019s mission of benefitting older Pennsylvanians.\u201d<\/p>\n
The winning ticket was a \u201cTriple Red 777\u201d scratch-off game. It\u2019s a $30 game with top prizes of $1 million. Martins General Stores in Saxton will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the big ticket.<\/p>\n
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