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.

D.J. Kopec raised more than $1 million for charity by streaming dance parties from his basement during COVID-19.

For over 45 years, Asma has been a nurse taking care of those underserved and uninsured. Inge Benevolent Ministries provides health education, social and shelter services.

Joseph Wice has been an environmental care associate for five years at Johns Hopkins Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has chipped in to help as much as possible.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2012, Cpl. Marburger developed an alcohol addiction. He found treatment got sober, and has now started a charity in Maryland called the Veterans Addiction Foundation.

Val Jenkins is the founder of Hug Don't Shoot, a non-profit that is working to bring love to everybody in our community.

Dwayne Jackson spent 13 years in the Army before moving into the fire department to continue serving others.

A nurse with the Navy, she deployed to Afghanistan, Malaysia and Vietnam. Now she is fighting the biggest fight at home with COVID-19.

The Pasadena Boat Works owner and his business partner came up with the idea of Kenzie-Covers to make an N95 mask more fun for kids and medical personnel.

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.

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.