Jim Vap: A Lifetime of Service Comes Full Circle as Grand Marshal of Colby’s Veterans Day Parade
by Derek White
November 11, 2025
When longtime Colby resident Jim Vap leads this Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade through downtown, he’ll be carrying more than just the title of Grand Marshal — he’ll be carrying the legacy of four decades of service, community pride, and unwavering dedication to his fellow veterans.
Born in Atwood in 1952, Vap was drafted into military service in 1972 shortly after completing vocational training in mechanics. Rather than waiting for the draft to decide his future, he enlisted with the Kansas Army National Guard in Smith Center, setting in motion a career that would span 40 years and take him from Kansas to Europe and the Middle East.
“I joined up right after VOTEC,” Vap recalled. “They had what they called the lottery draft back then. My number was 12. I figured I better take control of it myself, so I joined the Guard.”
A Mechanic’s Journey Across the Globe
After basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and advanced mechanical training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Vap began his career as a wheel mechanic. He soon transferred to Colby’s 995th Unit, later renamed the 170th Maintenance Company, where his skills would become invaluable.
Through the years, he was deployed multiple times to Germany for mechanical rebuilds and testing. “We rebuilt Humvee and tank engines from the ground up,” he said. “The Germans ran the dynos to make sure everything passed inspection. One trip we rebuilt 28 engines in three weeks — nobody else had ever done that.”
His most memorable moments came overseas. “One of the best experiences was going on a 12-country tour while in Germany,” Vap said. “We even got to visit the Vatican — that was unbelievable.”
A Call to the Gulf
In 1991, Vap and his son, James Jr., were both activated for the Gulf War, serving side by side in Saudi Arabia. “It was hot — 90 degrees by 7:30 in the morning,” Vap said. “We were working on tank retrievers with big V12 engines, and the sand was like sugar. It’d clog everything.”
Even while in basic training, the Vap family fought through adversity. His wife Sharon was home with their children — one boy and a young girl — moving into a new house when tragedy struck. “The house caught fire before they could move in,” Vap recalled. “The Red Cross didn’t even tell me right away because there was nothing I could do. Thank God no one was inside.”
Building a Legacy at Home
After decades of service, Vap continued his mechanical work across Kansas and Nebraska before settling in Colby, where he’s worked for New Holland and run a fireworks stand with his wife for more than 40 years. The stand, a fixture for local families every summer, is a symbol of the same dedication Vap has shown throughout his life.
When he returned from the Gulf War, Vap took on another mission — bringing Colby together to honor its veterans. “It was my idea to start the Veterans Day Parade,” he said. “I mentioned it at a meeting in 1991, and they told me, ‘If you organize it, we’ll come.’ So we got it going, and it’s been going ever since.”
Vap also designed the red veterans hats that have become a recognizable symbol at Colby’s veterans’ events. “I raised the money myself for the first batch,” he said proudly. “Those guys loved those hats — they’d wear them everywhere.”
Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future
This Saturday’s Veterans Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. in downtown Colby, with lineup starting at 10:30 a.m. at the north end of Franklin Avenue.
The procession will conclude with a ceremony on the courthouse lawn, followed by a fellowship lunch at the Colby American Legion Post 363, located at 1850 Range Avenue.
The parade is sponsored by the Colby American Legion Post 363, Colby VFW Post 6882, the Sons of the American Legion, and the Colby American Legion Riders.
Vap, who still volunteers with both the Legion and VFW, said he hopes younger veterans and families will come out to participate. “We’ve got a lot of veterans in this area, and we need the next generation to stay involved,” he said. “This parade isn’t about me — it’s about all of us who served and the ones still serving.”
Following the parade, Vets will gather for a fellowship luncheon at the Colby American Legion Post. Later that evening, the Legion will host its regular Chicken Fried Steak Dinner, the organization’s main fundraiser. Meals will be served through a convenient drive-through setup for $12 each, with all proceeds supporting local veteran programs and community events.
As the engines rumble and flags wave through downtown Saturday morning, Colby will not only celebrate the nation’s veterans but also honor the man who helped make the tradition possible.
“Being asked to serve as Grand Marshal,” Vap said, “it’s humbling. I just hope people come out, bring their kids, and take a moment to thank the men and women who gave so much. That’s what this parade is really about.”