For whom does the bell toll? People in Clifton may be asking that question unless they are among the large group expected on Mares Bluff Veterans Memorial this weekend.

A ceremony at the memorial is part of the May 26 “Run for the Bluff” that may include as many as 300 motorcycle riders - many of them veterans - who are coming to Clifton.

Along with an abundance of patriotic bikers, there are two other unique aspects to the event. A 150-pound bell that was hauled to the bluff top will be rung in honor of veterans. In addition, author Dr. Kyle Longley, whose soon-to-be published book “Houses of the Purple Hearts” that includes the legendary “Morenci 9,” will be the keynote speaker at an afternoon gathering.

From left, George Reyes, Albert Chavarria and Gilbert Sanchez take a break after erecting a bell on Mares Bluff Veterans Memorial in Clifton. It will be rung in honor of veterans during a May 26 Memorial Day ceremony. Reyes and Chavarria are Vietnam veterans. Photo by Steve Guzzo

The service on Mares Bluff is at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a gathering at Al Fernandez Park on Eastside, where Longley will speak. Free lunch and refreshments will be served.

The bluff bell will be making history as it ends a long silence and its peal honors American servicemen and -women who have served and are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bell will also toll for those who have served in the military during world wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield, Bosnia and during peacetime.

Locals may recall the bell, which hung for years atop the Rusty Nail Saloon next to Maud’s Drive-in. It reportedly once graced the school at Virden, N.M., and was obtained by the late Rose Guzzo, whose sons, Mike and Steve, are both Vietnam War veterans and operate Maud’s.

It was Mike’s idea to place the bell on the bluff. After permission was obtained from the bluff property owners, the bell was sanded and received a shiny, silver coat of paint. Painted in bright red letters on one side are the words, “Let Freedom Ring.”

“That was the easy part,” Steve Guzzo said. “The hard part was getting it up there to the bluff.”

The Guzzos would only say “three guardian angels” airlifted the bell and its stand to a spot on the bluff above the memorial. From there, Frank Johnston single-handedly picked up the bell, placed it on his right shoulder and carried it about 100 yards down a steep trail to its exact destination at the memorial.

“That was an incredible feat by Frank to carry the bell like that,” Steve Guzzo said. “I don’t know who else could have done that. It has to weigh at least 150 pounds, if not a lot more. He did it in honor of his dad, a World War II vet.” To top it off, Johnston helped carry some of the several bags of cement that were used to hold the bell stand in place.

Veterans George Reyes and Rudy Campos carried the bell’s stand, which was described as “not exactly light, and bulky.” Albert Chavarria and Gilbert Sanchez also were key in setting up the bell and helping transport cement and water for the stand.

The bluff is located in South Clifton and overlooks a large part of the historic mining town. It offers an elevated view of the beautiful surrounding hills and mountains. The view can be especially spectacular at sunrise or sunset. Enhancing the view are tall masts bearing the American and Arizona flags and flags from each United States Armed Forces branch, a banner honoring those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and the ever-present POW-MIA flag.

Replica dogtags of nearly 2,000 veterans from Greenlee County, Arizona and many other parts of the U.S. hang from long cables. Many of the tags that are presently on the bluff are weatherworn and are being replaced with new, sturdier tags. The effort has been undertaken by the Mares Bluff Veterans Memorial Committee, of which Greenlee County Superior Court Judge Monica Stauffer and Clifton attorney Channen Day are members.

Oscar Urrea, a Vietnam veteran and one of the event’s organizers, said, “We will also honor all veterans from all wars and conflicts who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. We share the grief and sadness of the American and Allied veterans’ families whose fathers, husbands and children were wounded or died during past and present wars and for those who still remain Missing in Action.”

Handsome commemorative T-shirts featuring a motorcycle and rider are for sale. They are $15 and can be picked up at Maud’s Drive-In in Clifton. They will be available during the Bluff Run. Proceeds go toward maintenance of the bluff. Also available for $5 will be a dogtag and chain commemorating the event.

Urrea is organizing a large number of motorcyclists to attend the ceremony, thus the “Run For The Bluff.” Bikers will be congregating at 5 a.m. at Applebee’s on Gilbert and Baseline Roads, at 7 a.m. at the Globe Circle K, 8:30 a.m. at the Gas Stop at Safford Circle K, 8:45 a.m. at the Safford Park and at 9:45 in Clifton.

For more information on the Run For The Bluff, contact Urrea at 602-677-6835, Bobby Chacon at 602-773-3704 or Steve Guzzo at 928-865-5551.

Be prepared

Organizers caution that the climb to Mares Bluff can be challenging, particularly for those who are not in good physical condition. Anyone with a heart condition, respiratory or circulatory ailment should not attempt the climb, which takes about 30 minutes. Participants in the walk should carry plenty of water, wear hats and bring walking sticks. The descent is steep.

Organizers said participants should prepare for hot weather and rain. “You never know what the weather’s going to be like around here from day to day,” Mike Guzzo said. “It may be nice and warm down here but windy and mighty cool up on the bluff.” The Guzzos have a front porch view of the bluff from their cafe.

“People need to take their time going up there and go at their own pace and not somebody else’s,” Steve Guzzo said. “It’s a good idea to get there at least an hour early to give yourself plenty of time to walk and rest. It’s definitely worth the effort.”

Families, including those who do not have someone serving in the Middle East, are encouraged to attend and make the event a family outing that will focus on appreciation for veterans.