Thomas Carhart's Letter to the Fine Arts Commission, Page 4 of 5

Thomas Carhart wrote to the United States Fine Arts Commission stating his problems with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, as well as the process of choosing the winner of the design competition. Carhart had an insider's view of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund because he was a member and secured their first loan.

“One needs no artistic education to see this design for what it is, a black trench that scar the [National] Mall. Black walls, the universal color of shame and sorrow and degradation. Hidden in a hole in the ground...Perhaps that's an appropriate design for those who would spit on us still.”