[IowaHawkeyeChief]

The below is a facebook post by someone in Iowa that traveled to the parade. They are going on WHO statewide radio for an interview today. Interesting comments as I was surprised yesterday when watching that Jesse Palmer was hit in the head when the parade coverage was just starting. The comments bring up the fact that Chiefs were drunk and it wasn't a good look for his young kids, but he should have known that is what these parades have become. However, the rest is pretty valid.

I am filled with anger and disappointment after attending an NFL event in Kansas City, and I feel compelled to share my experience. My family and I traveled 3 ½ hours from out of state, waking up at 0300 and hitting the road by 0400, excited for what we thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enjoy a city event and support our favorite NFL team, the Chiefs.
Our experience took a dark turn at the intersection of Persing and Main Street at Union Station. Chaos ensued, with no apparent order as we found ourselves amidst a crowd that seemed to lack any semblance of organization. To make matters worse, my wife was hit
in the head by a rock, an act of aggression that left me seething with anger. The desire to retaliate was strong, but I refrained, considering the safety of my children who were with me.
My frustration grew as I observed the absence of police officers in the vicinity, despite the escalating chaos. Grown men were climbing light poles and street posts, engaging in destructive behavior. The atmosphere was tense, and I felt a growing sense of unease.
Even before the parade started, I witnessed young adults vandalizing the area, pulling signs off crosswalk posts. I was the lone voice to confront them, highlighting the absolute chaos that seemed to have taken over the event.
The lack of law enforcement presence became even more apparent when a man near me fainted, and there was no EMS in sight. Drawing on my military experience, I provided first aid, but the incident served as a stark reminder of the lack of safety measures in place.
As the parade commenced, my disillusionment continued. Fans, including some players, were visibly intoxicated, and I couldn't help but feel disgusted by their behavior. My daughter's idol, in particular, failed to exhibit the classiness one would expect from
a public figure, especially considering the young fans who look up to him.
Feeling increasingly uneasy, we decided to leave the event early. Little did we know that our decision would be a life-saving one. A shooting occurred at the very intersection we had vacated, and I am thankful that we left when we did.
Now, guilt and shame weigh heavily on me. I put my family, including my 8-year-old daughter and three boys under the age of 4, in potential harm's way. The realization that we narrowly avoided a tragedy amplifies my feelings of responsibility.
As a veteran who served multiple deployments, I dedicated my life to preserving the freedoms we hold dear. The recent events triggered my PTSD, marking the first time I've witnessed gun violence outside a combat setting. It forces me to confront the disturbing
reality that we are living in a state of war within our own country.
I am utterly disgusted with the entire situation – with the city of Kansas City, Missouri, the NFL, the Chiefs, the players, and most of all, myself. This experience has shattered the illusion of safety that I fought to maintain for my family and fellow citizens. It serves as a stark reminder that, as a nation, we need to wake up and address the underlying issues that contribute to the deterioration of our society.