~The Gadsden Flag~Christopher Gadsden (1724–1805), who designed it in 1775 during the American Revolution. It was also used by the Continental Marines as an early motto flag, along with the Moultrie Flag.
About the Founder~
Chris wanted to start a foundation with transparency. The main goal is make sure that people know where their donation is going and who it will help. We are not a 501c. Donations go direct to the Veteran, 100%. Chris takes no part of any of the donations. This is how it works. Chris has a close bond with many active duty and veteran families, and they will call on him when someone in their community needs a vacation, or time to heal from injuries obtained while serving.The family is then brought to Arizona for an all expense paid trip, including luxury accommodations. If people want to donate they are provided with a secure address to send their donations direct to the family, thus alleviating any question of where the money goes. We also have many local Arizona residents that get to meet the Military families, and place a gift or donation directly into their hands. This is our preferred method. Most recently, Chris received a call from a close friend that was overseas, and getting ready to return from deployment. He called regarding his brother that was injured in a sky diving accident in Tucson, while training for deployment. The family had requested a place to stay, transportation, etc. The goal was to make this near tragic accident easier on the family. Chris was able to pick up a rental car for the injured soldiers wife, and drop it at the hospital so that she could fly directly in to be with her husband. Once he was released, they were placed in a furnished home that was stocked with food, and all necessities. It is such an honor to serve these families!
"I'm just not sure how to articulate pure thankfulness! Chris provided our family with something we don't get a lot of- time together. Chris is THE most patriotic & generous person this side of heaven & has become family. The honor & support he provided our family is beyond words of appreciation. So undeserved & far beyond expectations, he provided us a luxury home with a pool, putting green & a personal chef. For a week they treated us like rock stars! From a spa day, personal massage therapists, dinner reservations at the finest dinning in AZ, private museum tours, driving race cars with Bondurant Racing. To the added family time with our kids at a water park, butterfly pavilion & provided childcare for a long over due date night! The trip was beyond luxurious, relaxing & gave us what so many military families rarely get- time together. Every time we look at pictures or talk about this trip, my husband & we get teary. The heart behind this foundation is easily described, as patriotic heroes."
E.T
Pinehurst, N.C.
Siedentop currently works closely with members of the Army Special Forces, training them in anti-terrorist driving techniques all over the country. Chris is a former Senior Instructor at The Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, and has 25 years of Racing and instruction experience. When Chris is not helping Veterans, he owns and operates a property management company. "My clients often donate their luxury furnished properties, and this allows the veterans and their families to enjoy a trip of a lifetime." P1 Property Management is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and offers buyer/seller representation. They are actively representing veterans with purchasing their first home. Siedentop recently announced they have hired a U.S. Air Force Veteran to run the daily operations of the company. "It is such and honor to work beside a veteran everyday!"
Siedentop founded Phoenix Soldiers Foundation in 2011 in honor of Sgt. Nathaniel Lindsey, a 26-year-old Army veteran who lost an arm fighting in Iraq.
In a show of appreciation, Chris arranged for Sgt. Lindsey and his family to be picked up in a limousine and taken to spend five days in a million-dollar, resort-style home, complete with a private chef and massage therapist. During their stay, Sgt. Lindsey and his family enjoyed five-star dining and a luxurious private pool. Siedentop also organized myriad activities for the family during their stay.
“My mission is to seek out wounded veterans and active-military personnel to offer them vacations, gifts or whatever they may need. Without their service, this country would not exist,” Siedentop said with great conviction. “I feel that every veteran deserves to be pampered and taken care of. In support of wounded soldiers, our foundation has created the ultimate retreat for special troop members and their families.”
A personal note from Siedentop: A man named Parks was my inspiration for starting the Phoenix Soldiers Foundation. One day, after a quick trip to purchase a sleeping bag, some warm clothes, food and gloves, I set out to find somebody deserving. Heading south on 15th Avenue, I spotted an old guy pushing a shopping cart through a field. I stopped and watched. He was collecting weeds and grass to be used for something. He came to my window and reached for my hand. “My name is Parks,” he said. He asked what church I was from. “No church,” I replied.
My eyes quickly looked at his feet. I always look at a person’s shoes second and eyes first. He had mismatched shoes—two left shoes, and they were in bad shape. I asked him about the weeds and trash in his cart. He replied that he “was making a bed.”
I got out of the car and pulled the bags from the trunk and began my version of wealth redistribution. Parks was not some lazy guy looking for a handout. I chatted with him for a while and found out that he had been a decorated horse trainer and was now homeless. I had a new pair of running shoes in my car, so I had him sit down and put them on his swollen feet. He got them on, and I watched him walk away with a new spring in his step.
