Windfall from lottery winnings allow parents to pay touching tribute
By Kate Northrop
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A retired veteran from North Carolina will be using his $10 million lottery prize to honor his recently deceased son by giving back to the community.
Marine Master Sergeant Alvin Mack II of Jacksonville retired from the military in May. His 19-year-old son, Alvin Mack III, who served in the Air Force Honor Guard at Arlington Cemetery, passed away that same month. With a winning lottery ticket worth $10 million in-hand, Mack felt that there was no greater opportunity to keep his son's memory alive.
"He was my only son and he meant so much to me," Mack told the North Carolina Lottery. "I've always been a believer of luck, but in this case, I just felt like it was a little bit more than that."
He purchased the winning Supreme Riches lottery ticket for $30 at the Publix grocery store on Marlin Drive in Jacksonville, scooping up the one remaining top prize of $10 million. The instant scratch-off game was released last April, and with the final jackpot claimed, the Lottery will begin the process of removing the game.
Mack had a choice when he went to Lottery headquarters to claim his prize — either take the $10 million annuity as 20 payments of $500,000 or a lump sum of $6 million. He chose the lump sum and took home $4,245,009 after state and federal taxes.
The retired veteran had served in the Marine Corps for 20 years, but he was unprepared for the heartbreaking news of his son's passing.
"When I got the word of my son's passing, I wasn't financially stable enough to pick up all the costs that were involved," Mack explained in a press release. "The Fisher House Foundation donated housing for me and my family to stay during that time. My plan for this money is to donate to the Fisher House Foundation and continue to help others I can, in my son's name."
In addition to giving back to the charity that supported them in their time of need, Mack and his wife plan on starting a scholarship fund for student-athletes to help others like their son, who was a football quarterback in high school.
"I have a tribute room dedicated to my son, and I sat with him last night, and I just told him, 'Is there anything you want me to do? And I'll do it,'" Mack said. "I believe this is truly a blessing from my son."
RAW VIDEO: Watch the interview
Am so sorry for the loss of your only Son. To say this is heartbreaking to me as a 20 year Veteran is an understatement. I cannot fathom your loss, Alvin.
Thank you for honoring your Son's memory, this win was meant to be. God Bless you and yours.
What a great story.
Sorry for your loss. You must have been very proud of your Son.
You watched over him for many years, now it is He who watches over you.
Cherish the memories !
God Blessed you, young man. It wasn't luck, but a blessing. That was a very good thing you did to honor your son. So sorry for your lose. Thank you sir for your service.
Wow, so sad that he retired without savings. Is that common for military retirees?
o' yes. for some. my brother friend in california Steve, was the same way barely forties, when he retired, went in at almost thirties though,he was late 20s. (28)
and
1 of my brothers in california was speaking about how to retire without a savings is yea, pretty sad.
But, he is still a younger man(son was nineteen) i am guessing the father is only mid 30s or in forties?)i did not see an age. just guessin' but in any event,
how beautiful. a multi-millionaire, after taxes, 1/2 almost gone, for tax stuff,but how nice!
To lose a daughter or son and the same day he was retiring, if read this correctly? i am one who can't imagine how this feels.
But:
To give back is always beautiful,and i know this personally,that's the ones who are IMO blessed. 1 day it just "happen"or in small beautiful doses
of blessings i call it.
story.
Good night all.
Life is short. Even if "some feel,they are young so they will have A LONG LIFE. Not always."Sadly. Enjoy our life while we are here." Good night all."
That is heart warming! I believe it was meant to happen!
It's great that he is giving back to the Fisher House Foundation that helped him when his son passed.
May your son rest in peace Master Sergeant Mack II.
Well IDK the circumstances behind his retirement and finances, but will say when I retired in '97 you could do just like the lottery--take cash option vs monthly check rest of your life which I opted for. One Soldier whom I didn't know was discussing it with me and said he'd take the cash option and buy a new car. So I commented, OK, you get a new car, then what, you don't get a check every month. To each their own and maybe this isn't an option anymore.
Bleudog101, that's interesting information! I'm glad you were able to take the rest of life monthly check option.