Former Ambassador Returns to Holy Cross for Talk

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From left, Tom Dooley from the Holy Cross Parish Finance Council, Holy Cross Principal Christopher McCarrick; former U.S. Ambassador Clifford Bond ‘62; and Joe Petitto, director of institutional advancement, at an event welcoming the ambassador back to speak with students. Courtesy Holy Cross

By Eileen Toomey

RUMSON – As former U.S. Ambassador Clifford G. Bond walked into the gym at Holy Cross Academy in Rumson, he looked around. “This is different from what I remember,” he said. “Bigger.” A major school expansion completed in 2006 converted the old auditorium and gym into two floors, including a library and media center, professional kitchen and new bathrooms.

But standing between Joe Petitto, director of institutional advancement, and Principal Christopher McCarrick, Bond began to hum the Holy Cross fight song. “I remember every word,” he said, singing it softly.

While much has changed, much has stayed the same at Holy Cross Academy since Bond graduated in 1962. The fight song may be forgotten by newer alumni, but current sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students were eager to hear what Bond had to say about his storied career and why Holy Cross was important to him.

Bond grew up in Rumson and attended Holy Cross along with his four brothers and a sister. He remembers the uniforms and the formal setting of the classroom where discipline was strictly enforced by the Sisters of Mercy because there were 50 children in each class.

Former U.S. Ambassador Clifford Bond, a Holy Cross alumnus, spoke with students about his career in government service. Courtesy Holy Cross

“If anyone is interested, my mother saved my report cards,” he joked at the beginning of his talk.

Bond is a retired American ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2001- 2004) and served as Special Envoy for Srebrenica from 2007-2008. Bond began his career at the U.S. Mission to the then European Communities and worked in the U.S. embassies in Belgrade, Stockholm and Prague. He returned to Washington in 1990 to serve as a Special Advisor to the Coordinator for the Support to East European Democracies program and was attached to the Office of the Deputy Secretary of State. From 1992-1995, Bond served as Deputy Director of the Office of Independent States and Commonwealth Affairs. From 1996-1998, he served as Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. In 1998, he headed the Office of Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs.

Bond received his undergraduate degree in 1970 from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and his Master of Science in economics in 1971 from the London School of Economics. He also attended the National War College. He is a recipient of the State Department’s Superior Honor and Meritorious Honor awards.


Of course, the students wanted to hear the highlights of Bond’s career and he obliged.

“I was in Moscow just after the Soviet Union collapsed,” he said, telling the students the experience was incredible. When questioned, he said the “coolest” place he lived was the former Yugoslavia, which was his “favorite” country while former President Josip Broz Tito was still alive. After Tito’s death, Yugoslavia fell into conflict and citizens felt the communist government had crushed their individuality, he said. There was a war and “a lot of people were hurt” as Yugoslavia split into six independent countries.

Students from Holy Cross’s sixth through eight grades asked thoughtful questions of Bond, wondering about his favorite postings and memories. Courtesy Holy Cross

Bond thought for a moment when asked about an important memory from his career. He told his audience how he returned to Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the site of “horrible acts of genocide” where over 8,000 people were killed – to help with the creation of the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial, officially the Srebrenica-Potoari Memorial and Cemetery for the Victims of the 1995 Genocide, built to honor the victims of the massacre.


He also talked about daily life as a member of the Foreign Service; picking up and moving every few years, learning new languages, and immersing himself and his family in new cultures. Yes, he has been to Ireland, the best beaches are in Croatia, and Bosnia has wonderful food. He’s been to more countries than he can count.

“We were so excited to welcome Mr. Bond back into the halls of Holy Cross,” McCarrick said. “Our students were enthralled by the stories he shared… He was inspiring, connecting with our students as he shared his successes in life and his gratitude for Holy Cross Academy.”

Bond called being an ambassador “one of the best jobs” – before ending his talk by urging the students and staff to learn the fight song.

The article originally appeared in the March 23 – 29, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.