All he wanted was to come home and watch bowl games.

Instead, he’ll have to settle for a regular college football weekend … but at least he’s coming home.

Thanks to the money donated by his family members, Sgt. Travis Farley will be coming home to Iowa for one week.

Travis, 23, has been on active duty since early February of this year, said Casey Farley, Travis’s younger brother. Travis has been in the National Guard since spring 1998, said Casey, a junior in management information systems.

Travis works as a military policeman, guarding prisoners of war in Iraq, said Eric Farley, Travis’s cousin. Casey said Travis was scheduled to stay in Iraq until December, but his stay was extended to April, along with many other Iowans who are serving with the National Guard.

Every Sunday, Travis and Casey’s parents receive a call from Travis and word about how he’s faring travels throughout the Farley family, said Eric, senior in construction engineering.

Twenty-two aunts and uncles chipped in and purchased a plane ticket for Travis to travel from Kuwait City home to Des Moines to visit.

Casey said he thinks about his brother when he hears about events in Iraq. Travis is the oldest in his family and “Mom’s a lot more emotional,” Casey said.

On Sept. 8, Travis called home via satellite phone to tell his family that his leave was extended, Casey said. Casey said he understands Travis is needed to help in Iraq but “we’d like to see him get home.”

Col. Robert King, Iowa National Guard public affairs officer, said the amount of time soldiers’ stays will be extended is still based on the needs of the four-star combatant commander. If the commander decides he doesn’t need the soldiers, they will be sent home, King said.

A lot of units were called to active duty and the decision to keep them on active duty and extend their stay was helped by the fact that there aren’t a lot of units left to call up, King said.

“[These soldiers are] important to [the] success of operations,” King said.

Erin Moll, sophomore in elementary education and Travis’s girlfriend for two and a half years, said Travis and some of his fellow friends bought a satellite phone to call their family and friends. She said she and Travis have been in contact about once a week and she last spoke with him Sept. 13.

Travis will be back in Iowa the first weekend in October but will be sent back to Baghdad when he leaves on Oct. 8, Casey said.

Both Casey and Eric said Travis had wanted to get home from duty in time for the football bowl games.

T-shirts with American flags and “We support 186 and Sgt. Travis Farley” were sold to family and friends of the Farleys, Eric said. Casey estimated more than 60 family members plus friends purchased these shirts.

Moll said she is glad everyone recognizes what Travis is doing. He has a really close family and they are “really tight,” she said.

Casey said initially, Travis was supposed to be on a year-long active duty starting in February. Now it will be a year-long duty since April. Travis will still be on active duty for a year; the year just begins from the time that he arrived in Iraq to the time he leaves Iraq, Casey said.

“We’re really proud of him and we can’t wait until he gets home,” Eric said.

Casey said Travis’ camp had just gotten air conditioning and decent food, but now they may have to move to another location and start over.

Casey said Travis was disappointed because he was just getting used to where he was and was getting comfortable.

Casey said Travis wants to lie around and watch college football while he is home. Moll said she is excited for Travis to come home and is planning on letting Travis relax.

“It will be a lot harder to say goodbye the second time,” she said.