Letter to the Editor: New uses for pantyhose

Dear Editor:

Reading Donald Rumsfeld’s excellent history of the Federal government between the late ‘40s and recent years, “Known and Unknown,” I came across an interesting story that brought an old memory.

In the early years of the Afghan war Special Forces had inserted small detachments to direct the bombing of the Taliban. At times this was done on horseback by soldiers who had never ridden a horse before. Naturally, some of them developed bad saddle sores which they first treated with Vaseline. The sand rapidly turned the treatment into areas of sandpaper. “Then some clever mind came up with a different solution: pantyhose.”

Many years before someone suggested pantyhose for long motorcycle rides. I borrowed a pair of my wife’s, (too small) on a ride from Colorado into Idaho. After riding two days we pulled into a campground north of Boise and I left that pair, totally shredded, hanging off a tree. Later my wife bought me the largest size sold, which brought a puzzled look by the clerk. The wife had to explain that she was getting a gift for a very large friend. This pair lasted me for many years.

I wonder if any local cowboys have come up with this solution, or would they admit it if they did.

Dick Prosence

Meeker, Colo.

New uses for pantyhoseDear Editor:Reading Donald Rumsfeld’s excellent history of the Federal government between the late ‘40s and recent years, “Known and Unknown,” I came across an interesting story that bought an old memory.In the early years of the Afghan war Special Forces had inserted small detachments to direct the bombing of the Taliban. At times this was done on horseback by soldiers who had never ridden a horse before. Naturally, some of them developed bad saddle sores which they first treated with Vaseline. The sand rapidly turned the treatment into areas of sandpaper. “Then some clever mind came up with a different solution: pantyhose.”Many years before someone suggested pantyhose for long motorcycle rides. I borrowed a pair of my wife’s, (too small) on a ride from Colorado into Idaho. After riding two days we pulled into a campground north of Boise and I left that pair, totally shredded, hanging off a tree. Later my wife bought me the largest size sold, which brought a puzzled look by the clerk. The wife had to explain that she was getting a gift for a very large friend. This pair lasted me for many years.I wonder if any local cowboys have come up with this solution, or would they admit it if they did.
Dick ProsenceMeeker, Colo.

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