I, too, feel awkward in a crowd of people with upraised right arms, palm down. Apparently, though, this salute has ancient origins and, until recently (historically speaking) was used as the salute to the American flag when reciting the pledge of allegiance. Look up the "Bellamy salute." Bellamy was the author of the pledge of allegiance and prescribed that it be recited with the "right hand lifted, palm downward, to a line with the forehead and close to it." Bellamy, though, was a socialist.