A GLIMPSE OF THE US ARMY HOSPITAL IN LANDSTUHL GERMANY

Air Force 1st Lt. Tina Hall, a nurse at Landstuhl, has gone out of her way in recent months to provide what she calls "the little things that make a difference" -- wished-for meals of Burger King or southern fried chicken, or moving battle buddies into the same room.

"I very much appreciate that they do not mind dedicating themselves to their country," Hall said.

Such efforts were not lost on Sgt. Michael Sparks, 24, recovering from a shrapnel wound to his shoulder suffered in a mortar attack on his convoy in northern Iraq.

"The Landstuhl nurses, staff, techs -- they're all awesome," he said. "When you get here, you still have bad dreams and the nurses, they come in and talk to you."