Salvation Army Major Richard Watts, the commanding officer in Huntsville, came out of retirement when the previous commander retired after his wife passed away with cancer.

Having been in the Salvation Army since 1971, Watts will be in the position until June. He is leading the local organization at a crucial time, with its Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns underway this holiday season.

“We bring a wealth of experience,” Watts said, noting that he and his wife “retired with 47 years of service as pastors and commanding officers for the Salvation Army throughout Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Argentina and Uruguay in South America.”

“We have experience in running shelters like we have here in this community,” he said. “We were doing a family store program like we do here. Right now, we’re involved with our Christmas program. This is actually my 54th year running Christmas programs for the Salvation Army. It is one of my passions.”

The holiday season is obviously busy for the Salvation Army. Can you talk about the Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns?