"I SPEND MORE MONEY BUYING STUPID STUFF"

Another reason for Americans to be proud of our soldiers.

Staff Sgt. Thanh Phan has put the sparkle back in the eyes of a 7-year-old Iraqi girl named H’ora.

Until last week, H’ora’s one good eye stood out from the dark, sunken socket where her right one used to be.

She now has matching brown eyes after Phan spent $125 for a new glass eye and the surgery to put it in.

“She’s a beautiful, beautiful child,” said Phan, an air ambulance team sergeant for the 57th Medical Company’s detachment...

“It looks pretty good, pretty natural,” he said. “You know, it was like seeing some of our patients after we drop them off at the hospital … and a couple of days later they’re doing a lot better.”

H’ora not only has a new eye, she’s got a new sense of self-confidence.

“The girl’s mother said she’s very happy,” he said. “More happy and outgoing. They thanked me and were telling me ‘thanks’ to the American forces.”

The mother told Phan that she would pray for the American forces’ safe return to their families back in the United States.

“She commented on the generosity of our people and the soldiers in general,” he said.

Phan said he felt it was the least he could do.

“I spend more money buying stupid stuff,” he said. “It doesn’t make a big impact on me, but it makes a huge difference to her.”

Another jewel has just been added to SSG Phan's heavenly crown.