Have to love his style.
Via Military Times:
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis provided a memorable commencement speech for graduates of the Naval War College earlier this month, and as has become his custom, the military’s favorite “warrior monk” yielded a few highlight reel quotes that left a lasting impression on those in attendance.
But as he navigated his way through the early portion of his speech, Mattis became noticeably bothered by a scratchy throat.
“That’s what you get when you testify too often in front of Congress, by the way,” he joked.
Clearing his throat every few seconds, Mattis pressed on.
“In the words of Adm. Chester Nimitz…nothing he encountered in the Pacific during the war was either strange or unexpected, for this campus had prepared him well.
“I’m very confident — thank you very much,” he said, halting his speech after an official brought him a bottle of water to remedy the nagging windpipe.
Taking a swig from the bottle, Mattis looked out at the audience and said, straight-faced, “If this was vodka, it’d be a lot better speech,” prompting laughter and applause throughout the crowd. “But I’m not supposed to glamorize alcohol anymore,” he added. “So you young folks, you ignore what I just said.”