Captain Coffeesalute

Presidential salute, some academic noodling:

What is correct for a lifelong civilian? Besides ditching the coffee cup? I mean, we stand with hand over heart (except king crotch-clutch) instead of saluting the flag. Personally, I'd feel like stopping, turning, and delivering a respectful salute to each of those guards, but my salute would probably look like something between boy scout and swatting a mosquito on my forehead. Okay, I can do better than that, but it's still a civvy salute. But how else could a civvy pres acknowledge the guards?

I feel a little self-conscious when saluting some vet in passing, when I don't have opportunity to shake his hand and thank him personally. Afraid I'll do it so badly, he'll think I'm mocking.

Semi-serious inquiry because