H. John Lyke (“Smiley”) Rho ‘55

Just thinking about Psi Upsilon brings back many fond memories. What a treat it is for me to reflect on the experiences I had when I was a brother in the University of Wisconsin, Rho chapter of Psi Upsilon.

It is such a pleasure to be able to return to those many memorable experiences. After reflecting a bit on “What Psi U means to me,” I concluded that what Psi U did for me was to affirm me as an individual worthy of the chapter’s respect, care and love, the cherished attributes that makes each of our lives worthwhile living. It was the first time I recognized I belonged to a prestigious organization where I didn’t feel I had to jump through any hoops like maintaining a certain academic standing or behave in a certain way to be accepted.

The fact that I was invited to join Psi Upsilon after going through pledge week was evidence in itself that I was accepted for who I was and what I was about. I was particularly gratified to be part of the Rho chapter since my late beloved brother Doug, prior to my joining Psi U, was a member of the Epsilon Omega chapter at Northwestern University. The reason I felt that way was because Doug was my big brother who I looked up to and greatly admired; consequently, if he was invited to be a Psi U, I felt we must hold in common some traits worthy of note, otherwise, why would I be asked to join the fraternity?

The Rho chapter also provided me with an understanding of what it means to be part of a meaningful whole where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts or the Rho chapter, was greater than the sum total of it members. Because I never felt I fit in with the rest of my family, particularly my two older brothers and my father, because of what I valued and the way I looked at life compared to their perception of what life was all about - to feel a part of something bigger than myself by joining Psi U was so very meaningful to me.

This marvelous feeling of personal power and significance bigger than self was maintained after I graduated University of Wisconsin. Upon graduation, I received a military commission and was sent to Korea, which was after the armistice. It was there where I served as a Detachment Commander in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. There we were, defending South Korea’s right to maintain a democratic government in line with our American values. My service there helped magnify my pride as an American and taught me to appreciate the uniqueness of America as a land of personal liberty based on laws written by and for its people. Like my sense of identity was tied up with being a member of Psi Upsilon and what that fraternity represented to each of the brothers when I went to the University of Wisconsin, when serving my country while in Korea, my identity was expanded to include all of the medical personnel who were attached to the 121st Evacuation Hospital.

Again, my sense of self was intimately tied to not only specific people that I admired while in Korea, but also, the entire medical service community attached to the 121st Evacuation Hospital. By the time my tour of duty in Korea was finished and I returned to the States, the concept of America was and continues to be an integral part of my personal identity and part of my very existence. What it represented was all that was good and right about America, which was our country’s soul or each of our collective identities.

So what happened to that unity of purpose and the national pride that is America at its best? And, for the past ten years or so, what has happened to cause me to no longer feel the pride I once felt at being an American? I believe it still exists. You may have to dig a little to find it, but it’s there. What is it? It’s embodied in the statements of the Founding Fathers. It’s about “all men are created equal.” It’s about the right of free speech, freedom of religion, habeas corpus, the right to bear arms, to have a fair trial. It’s about a government of, by, and for the people, not a government by and for corporate interests or profits. People are yearning for the day when we can again say that is what our government is about, when we’re proud of this country and what it stands for.

In addition to what I’ve already said, one of the inspirations for writing my newest book, “The Impotent Giant,” was when I studied about the Revolutionary War and the 2nd World War, where the people who were supportive of those wars were fighting for something they believed in, which was something bigger than themselves. That, and to an extent, the spiritual belief and community spirit, as well as the kinds of brotherhood experiences that I had when I was a member of the Rho chapter of Psi Upsilon at the University of Wisconsin, all contributed to my sense of purpose, which transcended my own personal selfish interest in favor of what’s best for our Nation, and which prompted me to write “The Impotent Giant.”

So…thank you Psi U for helping lay the ground work and helping give me some of the inspiration for writing the giant and providing me with the belief that the true meaning and joy of life resides outside of the narrow confines of our personal selves, but rather, in what we do for others to make their lives more meaningful and complete.