Time has taken a "movement" toll of our family since we relocated from San Antonio to Helotes in the Spring-Summer of 2000:

Kate is married (Oct 21, 2000). She and her Mike live in a 70-year old home they are restoring in downtown San Antonio.

Paul is living in an apartment in San Antonio while working as a night auditor for AmericaSuites.

Jon is also living in an apartment while: In his junior year at the University of Texas (at San Antonio), majoring in business; and, running his business, "Good Guys in Straw Hats." He wanted the apartment experience, and shares the apartment with a classmate and worker in his firm. The apartment is in Helotes, almost a mile away from HungerHollow.  We hear from the kids almost daily and see them at least weekly.

Distance may separate us, but our HungerHollow motto: Once you're here, you're more than family" continues to apply!

That leaves the "empty-nesters" -- Penny and Bill, recently celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversary (Dec 19, 1970).

OK. Let's "break it down" and look at the history of the folks behind the legend, HungerHollow:

mrBill Hunger

Please click on mrBill Hunger for a little military biography.

Bill (aka) mrBill, or more formally, William Crosby Hunger,  Jr. is also known as the mayor of HungerHollow. A native of Vandergrift, PA (southwestern PA, northeast of Pittsburgh ("Go Steelers!"), he was an Eagle scout at 13 (bronze, silver & gold palms), Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, 32nd degree Mason,  member of the National Honor Society, and MENSA. Bill graduated from the local high school, attended, and graduated with degrees, ranging from an associate of science, Bachelor and Master of Education, from an assortment of colleges and universities, including York College of PA, Gettysburg College, and Duke University.

During that college time, Vietnam was calling, and soon after teaching began at a high school in Hanover, PA, mrBill was  joined the military in 1966,  entering basic training at Ft Dix, NJ, and was sent to Ft. Devens, MA, for advanced training with the Army Security Agency. 

While at Ft. Devens, mrBill was retained as an instructor, immediately after graduation from the Traffic Analysis Course (98C). During this time he obtained his Instructor certification, an increase in his skill level, as well as certification as a Spanish linguist; and subsequent promotion to Specialist 5 - all within two years. After volunteering three times,  he was selected for duty in Vietnam, in 1969.  During his out processing he received orders diverting him to Sinop, Turkey -- where he would remain for a year. During this time he competed for and was assigned to the 7th Army Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Bad Toeltz, Germany, returning to be promoted to Staff Sergeant (E6) before returning Stateside. Two significant events then occurred: He was reassigned back to Ft Devens to be an instructor in the Advanced Analysis Division, and while enroute back from Ft Devens to Turkey, a few months earlier,  would meet an Air Force nurse, named Penny, "That's Capt Spires to you, soldier!"

While both were assigned to Turkey, Bill (or at that time, Staff Sergeant (E-6) Hunger), would return to the States earlier while Penny remained in Sinop.  .. well, you're just going to want to read her story in another section!

After Bill's return to Ft Devens, MA, they were subsequently married in the post chapel on 19 December 1970, and lived in their first home in Westford, MA (100 Littleton Road, Westford, MA 01886). About 18 months later Bill would receive a rather strange phone call from a childhood friend, from Vandergrift, Kirby Kessel.

Kirby was in the personnel assignments section in Washington, and let Bill know there was an assignment availability in Berlin, Germany. But, in talk that evening with Penny, it was felt that Berlin was "behind the lines" and would be stressful and unpredictable. Bill reluctantly gave a negative response to Kirby that next day. (It was later noted that the folks surrounding Kirby noticed his unbelievable stare, coupled with his utterance of the word "Unbelievable," every five or so minutes; and, a slow shaking of his head from side to side. It was also noted that in the following weeks his eyes took on a rather strange look):

Two weeks later, Bill would receive his second alert to deploy to Vietnam....

But, wait, it's now 1971, and as an analyst, now in Military Intelligence, while enroute, Bill was diverted to Biggs Field, TX, beside Ft Bliss, in El Paso, for Vietnamese language training (Saigon dialect). As soon as possible, Penny (who had since resigned her commission from the Air Force) came down, and they would spend their evenings studying Vietnamese for months, living in a studio apartment, celebrating Christmas with a foot high plastic tree. Their studying must have worked, as Bill  was rated #1. academically, in his class. He would reply that a keen knowledge of the language just might save his life one day. Heck, might even confuse the enemy if he spoke well, and didn't stand up to his full height. (Plans were for Bill to go to the field and train analysis to the South Vietnamese forces.)

Two weeks prior to graduation all US forces were diverted from Vietnam. The "conflict" was over. Bill certified; graduated; and, the two would head for....Augsburg, Germany for three years. Sprecken Sie Vietnamese?

The Augsburg years. Part I: The initial assignment was great! We lived "on the economy" in two different towns, Meitingen and Nordendorf, in Bavaria, southern Germany. The Germans we met were kind and helpful. In the village where we lived, the Germans used to walk by on the weekends. We'd be in the garden (yard) doing something "American" -- perhaps a cookout, softball, hide and seek, name it! We were the only American family in the village, especially where we would speak more German than they spoke English. (AH, immersion!) The dollar was 'sound,' and "living was easy." Just think, 4 marks to the dollar. (On the second tour, it would be not so grand.) In three years time Bill had: become certified as a linguist in German, in addition to Vietnamese and Spanish ; acquired some special skill identifiers, including  technical intelligence, and was appointed a Warrant Officer -- requiring a change of assignment, to Ft Meade, MD.

Other real highlights in Augsburg were the birth of son, Paul Joseph (Aug 7, '74) and daughter, Kate Elizabeth (July 30, '75). We would leave Augsburg 19 days after Kate was born.

The Fort Meade, Maryland years 1975-1978. As a "young "Warrant Officer, Bill would become an officer in charge of a long-term research center, but would find real enjoyment when he was assigned to a section supporting military operations. Bill's love was the design of command post exercises, and would travel as an exercise controller all over the world, hanging his hat at an "alphabet soup" collection of names (NATO, CENTAG, NORTHAG, SOUTHCOM, AFCENT, SHAPE, NSA, CIA, FBI, NMCC, ANMCC,  the Pentagon, various deployed airborne command posts as well as remote and esoteric sites and bunkers throughout the world including the NEACAP.) It was here that Bill began his certification program for a specialization in Research, Test, Development, and Evaluation (RDT&E).

And, then one day, it came to an end... A return to Augsburg as officer in charge of an in-depth analysis center was in the offing.

The Augsburg years. Part II: 1978-1981. The dollar was taking a nosedive! It would be almost one mark per dollar. The prices in the commissary were changing so fast that they were higher upon leaving, than they were when you entered. Just didn't make any sense. And the housing? Well, Meitingen, earlier known as "Little America" was now too expensive for enlisted, and Nordendorf found its apartments rented to higher salaried Europeans. The only place to go was the on base housing.

We would live in the 'ghetto' of Augsburg base housing "Cramerton." While having our furniture unpacked our son, Paul was being beaten by another Army brat. It was rough, a combination of the "'hood, barrio, and projects." all rolled up into a bad day. Work was good, and Penny's mother would come for wonderful, extended visits of upwards of seven months, affording Penny the chance to work as a civilian nurse in the Army field hospital, in labor and delivery. One of the highlights was the visit of Bill's hometown Lutheran pastor and his wife, who were attending a religious retreat, and stayed in our Volkswagen camper, outside our apartment, in the parking lot! Somehow, they survived, although the tires on his car were slashed.

It was at this time that, while Penny was working in the same Army hospital, in the same delivery room where Paul and Kate were born, another Hunger arrived, Jonathan William (July 11, 1980). Kate was certain she was going to have a sister; and Grandma Spires (Penny's mom) just "knew" when Penny would deliver, and arrived the night before Penny did! What a woman(en!) Alas, time to rotate. This time, to San Antonio!

The JEWC, San Antonio, TEXAS, the early years: 1981-1985: Never had heard of it, the JEWC! Called the Joint Electronic Warfare Center, it was a think tank that I found myself more than knee deep into studies and analysis, as well as one heck of a lot of writing and reports. They had just advertised to the world that they wanted to do studies, and as I arrived, so did the requests, from all over the world! And, in many cases it involved travel -- all over the world! Even before I had completely in processed I found myself doing a study involved with missiles, at a center in Huntsville, AL. Then there was the report on drone aircraft, and the quick trip to REFORGER in Germany, then a 14-month study on a subject I no longer am allowed to recall... I would be turning in travel requests along with the vouchers from recently completed ones. The RDT&E certification was completed; and I became the only Warrant Officer in the history of the Corps to have this somewhat esoteric mix of technical credentials -- a qualification that would eventually materialize for my future, last overseas assignment. The time there flew. Another schooling accomplishment was the completion of the Electronic Warfare Staff Officer Course. And, of course, we were in San Antonio: The love affair with it had begun...! And, then the orders came, to deploy, again!

Now, I was on alert for the third trip to Augsburg, when I discovered a husband and wife warrant officer team had also been assigned there; and one of them had taken my "slot." (Not MY fault they later would divorce...) Strange, though, I received a call from the assignments center and was asked if I were interested in a tour to... Berlin! (Great shades of a bygone era!) No time to talk with Penny, this time. I think I answered in the affirmative long before the assignments fellow had finished with his question. So it's Nach mal Berlin!

Berlin, the Golden Years: 1985-1989:

IF there were to have been a good time to have been in Berlin during the stress and tension of the Cold War and the Warsaw Pact, then I would say it was during the time we were there.

We were most fortunate. Lived right next to "the Wall" (Die Mauer) for a year in the Dueppel housing area. Stairwells, crowded, working a mid shift in a day world. But, this was Berlin! And, a year later we were able to move into housing on the economy, large enough to "grow into" to the extent that when we would return, our home in San Antonio, suddenly seemed much too small... .

It was during the time in Berlin that we were about 20 feet away from President Reagan when he gave his "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall..." speech; heard almost nightly machine gun fire from the eastern area, near the wall; happened to be by "Checkpoint Charlie" just as an escape was unfolding; and were able to bike on special bike paths throughout the city; be a part of the 750th anniversary of Berlin - feted by both east and west Berlin; ride the Berlin duty train of both Great Britain and the US; and, a few more events including being the most-requested ad hoc guide for travel groups to East Berlin.

Volunteered for REFORGER while at Field Station Berlin. Had heads turning as REFORGER was a 'tactical' temporary assignment, and Berlin was almost as 'strategic' as one could get. But, I wanted the experience, and the field station had to supply a warrant officer. When I arrived in Germany, at 'Herzo Base,' I was given direction to become the Corps Electronic Warfare controller, as I had the JEWC assignment previously, and knew the inspection team coming over as well as what all they did and wanted to observe. Aside from meeting old friends, it was an enjoyable experience, one that never would repeat, unfortunately.

We were happy to have Grandma Spires return several times for extended visits; Herb and Marge Bailey - relatives, Herb as a Navy pilot had flown the Berlin Airlift, and was honored several times during their two visits; A nephew, Eric Bollinger, who was enthralled by the city; and many, many more experiences. I can say Berlin was the most impressive tour I have ever experienced. Work-wise, it was the most stressful I have ever endured. (See my comments in Classmates. COM for a more detailed expansion of the military life and times.)

By the Spring of 1989 we had been in Berlin for a normal, three year tour with one extension. I had been repeatedly refused another extension, and was perplexed. No one was getting extended. How was I to know that within three months after our departure, in the fall of 1989, the Wall would come tumbling down...

But, earlier, we had already received our orders.....to San Antonio, Texas, for the second time!

Back to the Alamo: Part II: 1989-1992: This time it was back to our home(8310 Thorncliff Dr, San Antonio, TX 78250). A management firm had been handling it for years, and thought I was joking when each time we would be returning, I would request a home in Helotes to be found for us. (Thought I was kidding! And, only after years passed did they tell me! Never wondered why our house just happened to be vacant each time we returned...)

This time I was assigned to an Air Force base (Medina Annex) and worked with a unit called the Consolidated Security Operations Center as an officer in charge of yet another analysis center, as well as a technical support unit. After all had been getting promoted and was now as high as I could go in the warrant ranks, a CW4! By this time I had attended the Warrant officer Advanced Course as well as completed the Warrant Officer Senior Course.

Enjoyed the work which was long hours and lots of study and reporting. The center, which had been downsized, was getting more people and lots of computers. During this time I met with Tim Brenners-Lee, the developed of the Web, and saw the first Browser employed (Years ahead of Netscape and 'Explorer') Years of working with computers looked as it would be paying off. And it did, until I received a call one evening telling me an assignment I had always wanted, the one that matched the special training and certification I had, was available under two conditions: I had to go alone, and it was in Korea for a year!

Time to go and leave the family .... Paul and Kate would graduate. Penny would run the household and the checkbook. They succeeded!

Korea: The Land of the Midnight Calm:1992-1993: And calm it was. In contrast to the first tour to Sinop, Turkey, the Korea assignment was more than enjoyable. It was rewarding. One measure was the ability to be an off-duty English teacher in two Korean Universities. One was the second-rated university, behind Seoul National; the other, Seoul City, was for the poorest students. It was said that at the first university, upon graduation from high school the students would receive, traditionally, from their parents, a week's vacation at a recreation island off the south coast of Korea. At the poor university, according to local word, upon graduation from college there, a graduate was to receive... a pair of shoes!

The friendships I made continue, culminating in a recent visit by one of my students who occasionally consults with me to proofread  documents he prepares for the Korean government.

Stationed in Seoul (Yongsan), this time, I was a commanding officer of a detachment involved in technical research and analysis. Surrounding me were the most outstanding Korean linguists in the military.   One, I recommended, was singled out as the foremost linguist of the year by NSA. (And, Korean was not one of my languages.) So much to learn, so little time. The year was over before it began. One of the highlights was an hour-long phone call with Kate, as we discussed her desire not to attend American University, which came with the award of a Presidential scholarship, instead, to attend Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism. So proud of her.

(I could mention in four years Kate graduated with honors, receiving her bachelor and masters of Journalism. But, that's another story!)

Alas, the year was over, and orders came down for the Regional SIGINT Operations Center, Medina Base, San Antonio...

San Antonio, one last time: 1993-1996: The time is 'winding down.' the last assignment (or so I thought). Back, another time to our home (The family had remained there while I was gone. Did return, fleetingly, for Paul and Kate's graduation about two months earlier, returned to Korea to out-process...) This time the job was radically different than the "commanding" one in Korea. Here, several people and I were involved in special research, mainly for others. It was similar to the JEWC except it was more personal, closer, and directly fulfilling (You could see the smiles on happy faces!) Time to close out, but, then on a nice spring Tuesday evening when we were all out by the pool, the phone rang, and I was told to be ready to be in Korea by Friday (And, you lose a day enroute.) And, there was no idea just how long the tour would be.

An ironic part to the out processing: While clearing my records at Ft Sam Houston, I noticed what I thought was a poor attempt to depict a building's bombing. It looked too surreal, too much devastation. Then I discovered it was live coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing. Tragic.

Korea, one last time: 1995-1995: Returning to Yongsan, across the Han River, into a hotel for about three months. Shared meals with a major I met on the way over. He had a clever idea to shave costs by buying frozen food and cooking it in boiling water from a coffee percolator in the hotel room. A diet we steadily used for most of the time there. Don't think I could ever do it again. Reestablished friendships, and toured local areas. Then one day it was time to return to San Antonio!

San Antonio: The final days: 1995-1996: What do you do as your career is winding down? You try to help others not make the same errors. You monitor and mentor. You see the time ebb away. You recall the early days when you entered the Army, and say to yourself you want to leave the same way: Quietly, no ceremony, no fuss. Memories are terrific. What is passed is past. But the memories remain.

Life Afterward: 1996-Present: Almost sounds like a resume. Took about a month or less of retirement to tell me there was more to do. The first day of official retirement in March of '96, I was reclining by the pool when a leaf fell into the water, then another. Before I knew it, there I was, cleaning out the pool. And when we shopped in the supermarket, only older folks were, retired ones... Not THAT old, yet. Had to do something!

One day Penny put my card into a drawing bowl for a free computer class at a training center at a CompUSA in San Antonio. I won a class, and was called, later, after being a student, to see if I wanted to discuss becoming a trainer. I did, and I did! Been one, now, for about 6 1/2 years! Now, I like to have bigger, computer toys all around, my own room, just like it was when I was a teenager! Sometimes I even feel like one! And, sometimes I act like one!