Hackettstown Eatery Pays Tribute To Military Lost In Afghanistan

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — Restaurateurs Andrea and Steve Bussel feel so strongly about supporting the military and first responders, they’ve followed the wave of restaurants setting up tables in memory of the 13 members of the military killed in Afghanistan on Aug. 26.

The Bussels plan to take it a step further though, Andrea Bussel told Patch on Monday, who owns Bea McNally's Irish Pub and Catering with her husband Steve.

“We will continue the trend to bring awareness and respect to the unnecessary tragedy,” Andrea Bussel said.

Bussel said neither she nor her husband - he originally from Israel - have military members in their families, but she said they are “very patriotic Americans,” who are also in support of local police and first responders.

In their first post they wrote, "For the 13 who will not be coming home," posting a photo of a flag-draped seating area with 13 glasses filled with Guinness.

On Monday, the eatery repeated its tribute, this time with the names of each the fallen, who ranged between the ages of 20 and 31, one of them a U.S. Marine with a baby on the way.

They include: Max Soviak, Kareem Nikoui, David Lee Espinoza, Rylee McCollum, Jared Schmitz, Hunter Lopez, Taylor Hoover, Daegan William-Tyeler Page, Ricky Thompson, Humberto Sanchez, Johanny Rosario, Ryan Knauss and Nicole Gee.

In addition to hosting a military-friendly atmosphere in their restaurants, Andrea Bussel said she and her husband have offered a longtime discount for veterans and first responders for 10 percent off anytime on their food bill, as long they show their identification.

The couple, who has adopted six rescue dogs, including their patriotic pup “Ricky Martin,” who they have a photo of dressed in his patriotic bandana, prides themselves in having dog-friendly establishments as well. Dogs are welcome to dine with their humans on the patios of their restaurants. Service dogs, such as those who are therapy dogs for members of the military or first responders, are invited indoors, Bussel said.

In addition to Bea McNally's, the couple owns two nearby Long Valley establishments, including OMG Burger & Brew in Long Valley, which had a similar tribute with glasses and a flag in a bottle at one of their tables.

Their other Long Valley restaurant the Long Valley Brew Pub, posted the same list of fallen military members in a special Facebook tribute.

The Bussels also own White Birch Restaurant in Chester and Lakeside Tavern in Budd Lake, Andrea Bussel said.

Mayor of nearby Washington Township Matt Murello gave the Bussels a special thanks on Facebook for their tribute in Long Valley.

“Thank you Steve, Andrea and the staff of the OMG Burger & Brew for this tribute to our fallen Heroes In Afghanistan,” Murello wrote.

RELATED: Long Valley Eateries Pay Tribute To Military Lost In Afghanistan

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.