CHICAGO – Today, 10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico announced the completion of a fundraising campaign to restore the southeast side’s beloved Vietnam Veterans mural at 91st and Brandon. Thanks to a $21,000 total donation from PsiQuantum, Related Midwest and Chicago Quantum Constructors (each company provided $7,000 to the cause), the American Legion South Deering Post 1238 has reached its goal of raising $100,000 to support tuckpointing efforts for the building and full refurbishment of the mural.
“I’m incredibly proud to see our community come together to reach this important milestone,” said 10th Ward Alderman Peter Chico. “The Vietnam Veterans mural has always been more than art on a wall — it’s a living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of twelve young men from South Chicago who gave everything for their country. Restoring it ensures that their memory, and the lessons of service and solidarity it represents, will continue to inspire future generations. I want to thank PsiQuantum, Related Midwest, and Chicago Quantum Constructors for their generous support, and everyone who contributed to this effort.”
For more than four decades, the Vietnam Veterans mural at 9108 S Brandon has stood as one of the southeast side’s most powerful community landmarks — a vibrant, deeply personal tribute to the twelve young men from the neighborhood who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Originally painted in the early 1980s by local artist Marcos Raya and a group of Vietnam veterans, the mural became a community gathering place and source of pride, remembrance and healing for residents.
“At PsiQuantum, we believe innovation and community investment must go hand in hand,” said Maurice Green, Head of Market Development & Community and Government Affairs at PsiQuantum. “As we work to build the future of quantum technology right here on the southeast side, we also want to honor the history and people who make this neighborhood so special. As a community resident, the restoration of the Vietnam Veterans mural is personal for me, and a demonstration of our commitment to being a good neighbor and long-term partner for the entire community.”
PsiQuantum serves as the anchor tenant for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), a first-of-its-kind park built for quantum technology scale-up and related quantum and advanced microelectronics research and development, which recently broke ground on the southeast side. The company’s support for the mural restoration reflects its broader commitment to investing in the community and the company’s active participation in veteran-focused hiring and workforce development programs.
“Our team is proud to support this restoration project and the local veterans and families it represents,” said Yanet Garcia, Vice President Construction at Related Midwest. “This mural tells the story of service, sacrifice, and unity – values that define this community and all of us who work here. Related Midwest is deeply committed to being a responsible and engaged partner, and we see this project as part of our ongoing investment in the strength and vitality of this community.”
As the developer of the 440-acre Quantum Shore Chicago site at 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Related Midwest brings 35 years of expertise in delivering architecturally significant, market-defining projects that promote housing equity, prioritize local hiring practices, and catalyze future investment in neighborhoods across Chicago.
“Chicago Quantum Constructors, along with CRG and LJC, have a long history of partnering with communities where we build, and we’re honored to help restore this powerful symbol of South Chicago’s history and pride,” said Mary Person, Senior Vice President at Clayco. “The Vietnam Veterans mural is a reminder of the people and stories that give this neighborhood its character. We’re proud to support this effort and to continue working alongside residents, veterans and local partners to ensure this community thrives for generations to come.”
Chicago Quantum Constructors will serve as the general contractor for the initial phase of construction at the PsiQuantum facility at the IQMP within Quantum Shore. Related Midwest and CRG are co-developing the project, and LJC is leading the design. Together, the three organizations are committed not only to building transformative projects, but also to investing in the neighborhoods where they take shape and the people who call them home.
With fundraising complete on the eve of the Veterans Day holiday, the American Legion South Deering Post 1238 will be able to fully restore the mural honoring each of the community soldiers killed in Vietnam: Edward Cervantez, Antonio Chavez Jr., Leopoldo Lopez Jr., Joseph Lozano, Michael Miranda, Raymond Ordoñez, Thomas Padilla, Joseph Quiroz, Dennis Rodriguez, Peter Rodriguez, Alfred Urdiales Jr. and Charles Urdiales Jr. Funds will also be used to refurbish the mural’s rendering of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a poem titled “Remembrance and Acceptance” and the names of additional soldiers lost in the War.
Related Midwest:Tricia Van Horn(312) 832-4114tvanhorn@relatedmidwest.com
