Did Bush salute back?
I'd bet he didn't.
First, not having served properly in the US military, he would not know the proper ethics of returning the salute.
Second, knowing the significance, he left Rudd hang out to dry for beating his pal.

First, not having served properly in the US military

I bet all the guard members who have served their country in times of war and peace will be surprised to find out that they aren't properly serving in the US military.

Bet all of those who didn't abandon their post sure don't want to count him as a fellow Guardsman.

I'd take that bet.

Then you loose, because my father, and two of my cousins were/are Guardmen and/or Reservist. I can guarantee you they can not be compared with Mr. AWOL above. They were, are and will ever be better than a million Bushes put together.

They did not join the Guard to shirk their responsabilities in the middle of a war (my cousins both served in Iraq) and did not flake out of their training regime just to party. Add to the list two of my best friends from High School, one a former SEAL and the other a Weapons Officer above a DDG.

and dad is still taking the rap for his AWOL son. His presidency will forever be tainted by the son's worst USA president EVER.