STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — On Veterans Day, O’Neill’s Public House in Port Richmond became more than a neighborhood eatery—it turned into a gathering place for gratitude, camaraderie, and reflection. Owned by Mike Regan and his family, the restaurant welcomed veterans and their families with its annual complimentary lunch, a gesture that resonated deeply with those who served.
O’Neill’s honored veterans with camaraderie and lunch on Nov. 11, 2025. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
“Mike is one-of-a-kind on Staten Island—probably half the East Coast,” said Dave Anderson, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Air Force. “He really appreciates veterans. It comes from the heart with him. Many members of his family served, and you can tell by the way he treats us.”
Anderson and his wife, Lilia, have been dining at O’Neill’s for years. The couple lives just around the corner in Port Richmond, making the pub a convenient favorite. “Mike runs as good a restaurant as anybody,” Anderson said. “We’ve been on Staten Island a long time, and we’ve always enjoyed coming here.” He added that he wishes the St. Patrick’s Day and Memorial Day parades “came down this way.” But they never reach Port Richmond.
Inside joke? Kind of. The DD-214—often called “America’s official man card”—is the discharge document that proves military service and unlocks veteran benefits.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
Anderson added, “It’s great having a place like this in the neighborhood, especially now that it’s harder for us to get around.”
The vet reflected on his long connection to Staten Island. “I graduated from Richmond College and later taught at CSI until the fiscal crisis in the ’70s. Staten Island has always been home.” Despite mobility challenges, he said the day was special: “It was great to have such an enjoyable afternoon. Mike does a great job for the veterans. It really means something.”
Marine and Navy vets unite over lunch at O’Neill’s for good food and shop talk.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)A Menu Made for Comfort—and Celebration
The lunch began with a choice of soup or salad, followed by hearty entrées like cheeseburger, penne alla vodka, shepherd’s pie, corned beef, grilled chicken sandwich, shrimp scampi, chicken francese, Philly cheesesteak or grilled cheese with bacon and tomato. Each meal came with a beverage — coffee, tea, soda, juice or even a glass of wine or beer — adding to the sense of celebration.
For many, the event was more than a meal. It was a chance to reconnect, share stories, and honor the sacrifices that shaped their lives.
Marine veteran Tom Wortmann Navy veteran Timothy Forsyth learned about the Veterans Day lunch at O’Neill’s through Facebook groups.(Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)“It’s nice to see people remember.”
Anderson attended with Lilia, his partner of nearly 54 years. The couple held hands throughout lunch, a simple gesture that spoke volumes about resilience and enduring love. “It’s nice to see people remember,” Anderson said softly, as Lilia smiled beside him.
Tim Forsyth, a 66-year-old Navy vet from Westerleigh, and Tom Wortmann, a Marine veteran from Meiers Corners discovered the event through Facebook group chats. “We decided to give O’Neill’s a try since they’re so supportive of veterans,” Forsyth said, pointing to complimentary wine and beverages on the menu—a perk that sealed the deal.
For Wortmann, the day stirred memories of a life transformed by service. “I was thrown out of high school with no future,” he recalled. “After four years in the service, I came out with a high school diploma, six college credits, and some backbone.”
Staff wore patriotic shirts and savored the spirit of the day. (Advance/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)
That foundation led him to a 38-year career with New York Telephone, one of the few companies hiring Vietnam veterans at the time. “When I came home, nobody wanted to hire us,” Wortmann said. “A guy at the VA told us, ‘Go to AT&T—they’ll hire anybody.’ Within 20 minutes, we were lined up on Madison Avenue. That job gave me a future.”
He eventually moved to Staten Island in 1970, attended CSI at night for six years, earned his degree, and met his wife. “People say, ‘Thank you for your service,’ but I didn’t join for them — I joined for me. It was the best thing I ever did.”
Forsyth echoed that sentiment. “Everything I’ve done in life, I owe to the service,” he said. “It gave me purpose, discipline, and the ability to start a family. I served 30 years in the Navy and Navy Reserve — at sea, in the desert, in the jungle. I must say I enjoyed every day.”
A Community That Remembers
For O’Neill’s, hosting the event was about more than food — it was about creating a space where veterans feel seen and appreciated. In a world where gratitude often comes in passing phrases, a hot meal and a warm welcome spoke louder than words.
O’Neill’s atmosphere matched the occasion, radiating old-world charm with high-back booths, cantilever tables, and rich woodwork crafted by Staten Island artisan James Daluise. Overhead, vintage-style lamps cast a soft, homey glow that made the space feel timeless.
As plates were cleared and conversations lingered, the sentiment was clear: service shapes lives long after uniforms are tucked away. And on this Veterans Day, in a cozy corner of Port Richmond, those stories were honored — one meal at a time.
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