RALEIGH – Peter Miller of Southport says the $217,608 he won playing Carolina Cash 5 will be used to enjoy retirement and shared with his five grandchildren.

“I’m going to keep playing,” Miller said as he claimed his prize money at lottery headquarters on Thursday. “I don’t think the lottery has a memory. Every day is a new day.”

Miller was buying gas at the Murphy Express on North Howe Street when he decided to buy three Quick Pick tickets for the Dec. 21 Cash 5 drawing.

The next morning, he looked up the results on his computer and discovered he had one of two tickets to split the $435,216 jackpot.

Miller, originally from Cherry Hill, N.J., served 20 years in the Navy before working at Lockheed Martin for 25 years. He and his wife have been living in Southport since he retired in 2010.

After required state and federal withholdings, he got a check for $151,240.

Miller said he plays the lottery for more than a chance to win. “I’m glad the money goes to education, scholarships and new buildings,” he said.

The other half of the jackpot was won a Buncombe County man. Norman Rogers of Weaverville collected his winnings on Dec. 28.

Ticket sales make it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion dollars a year for education. To see how the funds support specific programs in every county, visit nclottery.com and click on the “For Education” page.