Army worker delayed in return from Iraq wins $15,000 in lottery

Jun 9, 2004, 10:57 am (3 comments)

Washington Lottery

For Johnny Hooker, a civilian Army employee, bad luck turned to good when he was delayed in returning from Iraq, then won more than $15,000 in the lottery.

After six months in Mosul, where his cot in a converted warehouse was too short and mortar fire often shattered his sleep, Hooker had to stay another month with the added pain of impacted wisdom teeth when his replacement was diverted to another assignment.

When he returned home Saturday, his first stop was a supermarket for some grub and Washington State Lottery tickets three each of Mega Millions, Quinto and Lotto and two Lucky For Life.

The next day Hooker learned that one of the Lucky for Life tickets bore two sets of winning numbers, one for $2 and the other for $20,000.

With a deduction for taxes, he collected $15,001.50 between visits to the dentist but said he was happy just to get home in one piece.

"I count my blessings," Hooker said Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Olympia, his cheeks puffed out by cotton balls.

A former sergeant, Hooker has been at Fort Lewis since May 2000 to work with the Army Materiel Command on development of the Stryker brigades. He was sent to Iraq with the first of the two brigades in November to work on parts and supply operations.

"I was just glad I was able to get out of there," Hooker said. "Once I got out of Iraqi air space, I relaxed. Homeward bound."

Only for a time. Hooker said he'd likely have to return to Iraq next year with the second Stryker brigade.

AP

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CASH Only

No, it's "Unlucky for Life". Quinto should be replaced with an all-NUMBER pick-5.

qutgnt

If your in Wash either play in Oregon (best lottery state in the country) or play in Canada!

starchild_45's avatarstarchild_45
Quote: Originally posted by qutgnt on June 09, 2004



If your in Wash either play in Oregon (best lottery state in the country) or play in Canada!





i play in both and i don't think oregon is a great lotto state. i am getting real pissed off at oregon because you can only play 4 drawings in a row of powerball and 6 drawings in a row of megabucks. so i have to strongly disagree with you. i live in the seattle area and for years drove down there to get lotto. i am so tired of the once every two weeks. let me see california is 20 drawings in a row, idaho is 10 drawings in a row, washington is 10 drawings in a row, and bc canada is 104 drawings in a row. a potooey on the oregon lottery.

let me add my beef is ONLY with the oregon lottery. i love the sate and vacation there. i even particpated in some of the oregon lottery ads that they are running. repeal the limited drawings in oregon and i will be happy.

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