A Morris County restaurant held a special luncheon to honor North Jersey veterans.

The tradition started last year when the Montville Township VFW scheduled its annual Christmas luncheon at Rails Steak House. The meal would have cost $50 per person.

But what the group did not know is that Rails’ owner Jim Stathis paid for the meal and he promised to do it for future parties.

More than 60 veterans attended the luncheon Tuesday.

“Events like this are very important to them and events that acknowledge their service [are] very important to them as well,” Stathis says.

"I guess when you start to talk to some of the staff at Rails, you start to find out that most of them have veterans in their families,” says Tom Mazzaccaro with VFW Post 5481. “There's a camaraderie amongst even the workers and the management staff of this fine restaurant."

Stathis says that it's his honor to treat the veterans in remembrance of the sacrifices they have made.