FITZGERALD, Ga. (Oct. 2) - An Army sergeant on leave from South Korea claimed the $150 million jackpot in the multi-state Mega Millions lottery.

 

Army Staff Sgt. Tirrell Moore, next to wife Danielle, discusses his winnings.

 

Stephen Moore, 30, had been visiting family during his 30-day leave when he bought the winning ticket at a convenience store.

 

He said he was out with his brother Tuesday night, and when he returned he found his wife, Danielle, waiting for him.

 

''She came out the door, and I thought I was in trouble,'' Moore said. ''She said, 'Guess what, we won the lottery!'''

 

Moore, who works as a chemical specialist, chose the cash option for his winnings and was awarded $88.9 million before taxes on Wednesday.

 

''I told my mom to go ahead and quit work,'' Moore told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He said he also plans to build a new home for his wife and two daughters.

 

His mother, Annette Moore Crawford, said she'll keep her job as a clerk at a hardware distribution center, but she said she wouldn't mind having a Mercedes-Benz if her son wants to buy one for her. She also wants one more thing - her son home.

 

''(President) Bush needs to call my house and tell me my baby don't have to go back to Korea, that he can stay home,'' Crawford, 47, told the newspaper. Moore has been stationed in South Korea for nine months.

 

Fitzgerald is about 180 miles south of Atlanta.

 

He deserves it

Hopefully he takes care of all of his military buddies, family and friends.

Great story, but was it Stephen Moore or Tirrell Moore who won the money? That kinda confused me.

Sorry but being rich doesn't mean you don't have to show up to fulfill your commitment to the US military. Just ask our president.... Wait a minute, never mind.

I heard that he intends to ask out of the service. I think that's wrong. The military service is not something you opt out of if your financial situation changes. It would send the message that the armed forces is for the financially disadvantaged only. What was that old saying, "A rich man's war but a poor man's fight"? If he's let out, this would only prove it.

I heard that he intends to ask out of the service. I think that's wrong. The military service is not something you opt out of if your financial situation changes. It would send the message that the armed forces is for the financially disadvantaged only. What was that old saying, "A rich man's war but a poor man's fight"? If he's let out, this would only prove it.

He should stay in. No question about it.