LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
October 2026

Welcome old and new friends and family of the 551 Parachute Infantry Association!

For those new to the group, the 551 Parachute Infantry Association was established in November 1984. The group celebrated at their annual reunions and regaled together in the memories of their time during WWII. My father Douglas Dillard of A Company was the last president of the association. After losing my father in 2017, I was inspired to reactivate the association and keep the history and memory alive of the brave men of the 551.

We are a non-profit 501(c)3 association. We have a website (https://551pib.us/) that includes the history of the 551, photos, interviews with veterans and much more. We also have a very active Facebook page. Please like and follow. Great historical facts shared.

Dan Morgan’s book, The Left Corner of My Heart, “was” out of print for a number of years. The book is now available and has been updated with photos and pictures of veterans who were not in the original edition. Please purchase directly from the publisher’s website: Purchase Left Corner of My Heart.

Our association is free to join. There is a “Join the 551” link on our website which will add your information to our database. You will receive information on future reunions as well a newsletter that will be coming out in upcoming months. The association is solely operated and functions on individual donations, which are tax deductible, and greatly appreciated. Your donations cover recurring expenses such as tax filings, postage, website domain, wreath for memorials and most important for the maintenance of the memorials.

I encourage you to join us at the annual Marche des GOYAS organized and sponsored by Sur les traces du 551st PIB. This is an unforgettable experience marching through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium in the footsteps of the GOYAS. Every August there are also celebrations in Southern France. The experience is amazing as well. For details please join the organization and when trips are organized you will receive details.

The veterans feared after their time on earth this organization would end but that is not how their story will play out. We, the family and friends of the GOYA are re-invigorated to keep the memory of the 551st alive! Join us!

Cheryl Dillard Staurulakis
President
Daughter of Col Douglas C. Dillard, A Company