Bowman Hills holds SPORTS: annual Tarheels topple fundraiser: Wildcats to reach Page 8 Final Four: Page 9 162nd YEAR • No. 281 16 PAGES • 50¢ CLEVELAND, TN 37311 THE CITY WITH SPIRIT MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2017 Syrian refugee living American Dream Yassin Terou came with no job, $300 in credit By ALLEN MINCEY “And if you don’t want to love me, I will That is also the name of a You Tube video [email protected] still love you. We can talk and get con- created by friends that details his travails in nected and if we get together, we can all starting his business and living in Knoxville. Yassin Terou is living the American Dream, be better.” “I call this my second chance at life,” Terou but it took some time to become acclimated to Yassin Terou said. life in the United States with his family. Today, Terou spoke Sunday at the Theology on Tap meeting. Theology on Tap exists to promote he owns a restaurant in Knoxville, with plans done.” charitable and mature Christian dialogue about to start a second business there, something he Terou came to America to escape the dangers issues being faced in our community and our says could not have occurred in his native of living in war-torn Syria. Though he did not world. Syria. get into the politics there, or here in the United Oddly enough, Terou said that he spoke to an Terou spoke to over a dozen people at Bonlife States, he did say that it is not easy for atheist group earlier on Sunday. Coffee on Sunday, telling them that he loves refugees to leave the country. He spoke on the difference between Syrian America and loves having his business, all He came to Knoxville without having a job people and what he has seen in the United made possible with the support of others who and a line of credit for only $300, but knew States. gave him a drive to succeed. that he and his family would survive. He began “We are not so different,” he said. “We believe “I came to Knoxville in 2011, and though a small portable restaurant-type business out- in Jesus, and are waiting for him to come many helped me with my business, it was the side a mosque that he attended, where a friend back.” support of the community that made me feel at who frequented the mosque enjoyed the food Banner photo, ALLEN MINCEY Terou has a love already for America, and home,” he said during his presentation. “At the and promoted it to others there. This led to YASSIN TEROU, a refugee from Syria now liv- same time that the community has helped me, him, with his friend, opening a restaurant ing in Knoxville, spoke Sunday during a “Theology we want to support you for all that you have called “Yassin Falafel.” See SYRIAN, Page 8 on Tap” presentation at Bonlife Coffee. A veteran relives history Higher education bill progressing; Harper serves in research role two legislators for the 98th praise potential Bombardment By RICK NORTON To be eligible for Tennessee By LARRY C. BOWERS [email protected] Reconnect, a student must be a [email protected] Tennessee resident for at least Two state representatives who one year preceding the date of At the end of a winding comprise one-half of the Bradley application and must not driveway, nestled in the hills of County legislative delegation say already have an associate or northwest Bradley County, his- they’re encouraged by several bachelor degree, according to a torian and researcher Herbert actions advancing through the joint legislative update filed by Harper uses his handy com- House of Representatives. Howell and Brooks which details puter to connect people from One includes last week’s posi- the recent work of the state all over the world to missing tive nod by the House House. husbands, loved ones, and Government Operations “Other extended family members. Committee for improved higher requirements The sad thing is that every education access to those who for Tennessee morning he is unable to con- can least afford its cost. Reconnect nect with the person in the State Rep. Kevin Brooks, R- include com- world he loves the most, his Cleveland representing the 24th pletion of the beloved wife, Joan. Legislative District, and state Free Joan is struggling with the Rep. Dan Howell, R-Georgetown Application for final stages of Alzheimer’s dis- representing the 22nd, agreed Federal Banner photo, LARRY C. BOWERS Friday that House Bill 531 — ease at the Bradley County THIS BOOK, pictured at left, being displayed by historian and researcher Herbert Harper was Student Aid Healthcare and Rehabilitation named the Tennessee Reconnect where the published recently about a flight crew that crashed during wartime in Czechoslovakia. The Cleveland Center in Cleveland. Her hus- Act — stands to benefit a slew of Brooks applicant is band spends two to three veteran provided research for the author. Harper, 98th Bombardment Group historian, spent 22 deserving Tennesseans if law- deemed an hours each morning with her, years with the U.S. Air Force, including combat in Korea and Vietnam, and is now a 25-year member makers ultimately give it safe independent helping her to eat and commu- and historian of the national military veterans’ organization. pas-sage. student, par- nicate, although she does not “This bill would make ticipation in know who he is. Tennessee the first state in the an approved When his visit concludes nation to offer all Tennessee advising pro- each day, Harper returns to his Personality Profile adults without a degree access gram, and home on No Pone Road, where to community college tuition-free enrollment in he attempts to fill in the blanks — and at no cost to taxpayers,” any of the from requests by people who been credited for his work in bomber. It moved to the winding path, including 22 pre- Brooks said. state’s 13 are seeking information on many publications. Mediterranean between July vious years in the U.S. Air Currently, Tennessee adults public com- missing or departed loved ones His most rewarding accom- and August 1942, and was Force with active duty during without a degree or certificate munity col- or family members — those plishments are the time he has based in Palestine. combat years in Korea as can already attend Tennessee Howell lege’s degree missing in times of war. helped people find information Although Harper was not a Vietnam, as well as being sta- Colleges of Applied Technology or certificate programs for six A 22-year veteran of the U.S. about the fate of missing loved member of the original group, tioned in Japan, England and tuition-free, and House Bill 531 semester hours,” Brooks pointed Air Force, and an armament ones ... to provide them with at he has become an important bases in the U.S. would add community colleges out. technician while on active least some degree of closure. contributor to the 98th During the Vietnam War, he into that same category, the In order to maintain the duty, the 88-year-old Harper The 98th Bombardment Bombardment Group Veterans was stationed in Thailand, Bradley County legislators Tennessee Reconnect grant, the has filled a very important role Group was a Liberator group Association. He was awarded helping to coordinate flight explained. student must enroll in classes over the past 25 years as the that served in the the honor of Historian crews for bombing missions “The legislation expands on a leading to an associate’s degree official Historian Emeritus of Mediterranean theatre of action Emeritus by Association over Vietnam. program launched in 2015 or certificate continuously and the 98th Bombardment Group. from August 1942 until the President Bill Seals. Harper’s life began in aimed at attracting approximate- maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, leg- Harper’s research has assist- end of World War II. Harper’s journey to this posi- Southeast Tennessee, and ly 900,000 Tennesseans who islators advised. ed innumerable writers, docu- The group was activated in tion with the 98th there remain many branches of have earned some college credit, Howell joined Brooks in pro- mentarians, and authors February 1942 and trained Bombardment Group but not enough to earn a around the world, and he has with the B-24 Liberator Association has covered a See VETERAN, Page 4 degree,” Howell said. See EDUCATION, Page 4 Trustee’s Office closed WEATHER INDEX Today’s forecast calls for partly sunny skies and Classified.....................14-15 Opinion...............................12 Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. a 40 percent chance of showers or thunderstorms, Comics................................. The Bradley County Trustee’s Office will be closed Wednesday, from with a high near 76. Tonight calls for clouds and a 6 Sports............................ 9-11 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for office training, according to an announcement by 60 percent chance of rain, with a low around 58. Horoscope............................6 6489076 75112 longtime Trustee Mike Smith. Tuesday should see clouds and a 50 percent Mini Page.............................5 TV Schedule.........................7 The Trustee’s Office is located in Room 104 of the Bradley County chance of rain, with a high near 76. Tuesday night Courthouse. For additional information, call 423-728-7247. calls for more clouds, with a low around 54. Obituaries.............................2 Weather................................8 2—Cleveland Daily Banner—Monday, March 27, 2017 www.clevelandbanner.com OBITUARIES (USPS 117-700) Periodical Postage Paid at Cleveland, TN 37320-3600 Post Office POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Banner, P.O.