Hometown Hero: Air Force Technical Sgt. Jerry Sasser

Sgt. Jerry Sasser always wanted to be around jets. He worked on F-15s before a bomb blew up the building he and others were living in in Saudi Arabia, killing 19 airmen.

Claude Boushey was a helicopter pilot who suffered major injuries in a crash in Iraq, leaned to walk again, then redeployed.

Barry Root was drafted to serve in Vietnam and was one of the lucky pilots to come back alive from the largest helicopter battle in history.

Taavon Byrd enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000 when he decided to take his life down a different path. He deployed to Iraq in 2003.

Mike Sofinowski became an officer and led troops into combat operations over the past 19 years, including most recently in Iraq.

Matin Jones enlisted in the Army in 1987 and served for 20 years. He was wounded five times in 2005.

Solomon Taylor was a 20 year old who didn't know how to drive when he joined the Army. Then he drove huge trucks in WWII.

Stephan Bitner knew he wanted to be a pilot when he saw planes flying overhead as a child, and he wanted to honor family members who also served.

Nabil Tahan enlisted in 2013 because he believes in the importance of giving back.

Downes joined the Air Force in 2004, two weeks after her 18th birthday. She's served in Qatar and two tours in Afghanistan.

Bill Sanstone joined the Army in 1964 and served in Vietnam for two tours.

Stephen Weaver enlisted as a Marine, where he earned two Purple Hearts serving the United States during the Vietnam War.

Robert Simms III was deployed as a helicopter engine mechanic to Afghanistan, where he watched his youngest daughter born via Skype as he served his country.

The Baltimore native has been serving in the Army for 15 years and met Coach Harbaugh during a combat deployment in Afghanistan.

Maggie Smith has pursued a higher education thanks to the U.S. Army. After a deployment to Iraq, she transitioned into military intelligence and is now stationed at George Washington University as she pursues a doctoral degree.

Samuel Osuna began his military service in 1960 as an air commando in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where he flew 87 combat missions. He's worked for the United States government for 58 years.

At the Dover Air Force Base, Stephanie Harrison helps pilots deliver cargo, equipment and personnel all over the world, as well as bring our fallen heroes back home.

Sgt. Matthew White stepped on an explosive device in Afghanistan, resulting in the amputation of his foot. Since then, he's taken up new hobbies and adopted a dog that changed his life.

Christopher Wheeler has been deployed four times to the Middle East. One of his main duties is protecting the chaplain.

Doc Noah joined the Navy in 1966 at 19 years old and volunteered to be a medic with marine infantry in Vietnam. He's been the Ravens' Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard for 22 years.

Kodi Bowers received a Purple Heart just a couple months into his deployment in Iraq after his Humvee hit a land mine.

Tyler Grove knew in 8th grade that he wanted to do something for his country. Today, he'll deploy to the Middle East to begin his second tour in less than three years of service.

University of Maryland graduate Ray Neall served for more than 27 years in the Air Force. He helped plan and flew a combat mission to Libya.

After originally training to be a police officer, Brie Kotula enlisted in the Army after 9/11. She has since become a decorated member of the 'bomb squad' during her 15 years of service and five deployments to the Middle East.

Ben Morgan joined the Army when he was in high school in Columbia, Md. Now he's stationed in Hawaii and serves as a rifle platoon leader.