THEY’RE RETURNING. As if on cue, right around Memorial Day, they take leave of where they were staying.

They march home, whole brigades of them. There are more women among them than ever, more offspring from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Their look and haircuts and fashion and iPod favorites may be dramatically different from even a year ago. Some shoulders have broadened; there are a few well-earned scars.

Do we see more dents in their brows, even a hint of increased humility, perhaps? Maybe a different posture and alertness than what we recall?

They’ve trudged on day by day, yet their commitments have seldom made the headlines — a dismal exception these days seems to be when graphic violence and tragic loss are involved. And yet their efforts have strengthened themselves and their families, their state and country. Some would say — with more than smug factoids to prove it — that their work has bettered the world at large. In a climate where the determination and hard work and sacrifice needed to keep societies and cities and families in positive directions — productive, civilized, just and rational — these folks are playing their part, and assuming their positions gradually.

These are the college students whom many will welcome back soon, and whom all of us will see as they return from their campuses both near and far. Those who have resided away from home in particular have encountered and negotiated whole new environments, perspectives, schedules and lifestyles; and they’ve had the sometimes-exciting, sometimes-depressing opportunities to find out more about others’ needs and viewpoints, living, work and study arrangements, budgets, adult expectations — and themselves.

College life is often a rite of adulthood, one that keeps economies humming, civil society reasonable, dissent and art and research protected and myriad opportunities available to the next generation.

For those returning from their first year of study, college is a kind of boot camp that forges a student’s abilities, knowledge, goals, habits, self-discipline, tolerance, sacrifice, endurance, career skills and self-knowledge. Not bad — and not to be trivialized. Doesn’t the nation deserve a holiday that recognizes the efforts and outcomes of such work and study?

After a solid year of college work, students are likely able to admit — even if begrudgingly — that they’ve matured. Grown. Changed some. Developed in ways they didn’t anticipate. They confess to having much they’d like to share with those wanting to attend college, giving them the insider’s scoop on the life. Encourage their conversation. Listen.

My own aging eyes reveal a blossoming. Real individuals becoming real adults — the Next Generation of leaders. Stronger minds and hearts. This is how the garden grows — so gratifying.

I invite you to celebrate those in your family returning from college to the home front. To my own two college students, John and Anjuli, returning shortly from their respective campuses, I salute each of you. You are my heroes. I and your Mom celebrate your hard work, determination and sacrifice.

Rob Peters is a long-time resident of Benicia. He has been a full-time counselor at Diablo Valley College for more than two decades.

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