Local Veteran’s Advocate and Renowned Military Antiques Dealer to Be Featured on Memorial Day Broadcast
Gary Cain, a respected veterans’ advocate and internationally recognized dealer of military antiques, will be featured in a special Memorial Day segment airing Monday at 5 p.m. on Reno’s Channel 8. As the owner of Westwall Militaria, Cain has spent decades preserving the legacy of military service and history.
Cain’s remarkable journey began far from the battlefield or collector’s showroom — starting with humble beginnings cleaning hotel rooms, he went on to own a gun shop, supply military props to film studios, and serve as a firearms expert witness in both federal and state courtrooms.
Twenty years ago, Cain established Westwall Militaria, a retail shop dedicated to authentic military antiques. The store is located in the historic Hyman Olcovich House at 412 N. Curry Street in Carson City. Named after the term used by Allied forces during World War II for the German western defensive line, Westwall reflects Cain’s deep commitment to historical preservation.
“I’ve always been interested in history, and unfortunately, far too much of it is being lost,” Cain said. “The whole idea is to keep that in the forefront.”
Beyond his role as a collector and dealer, Cain actively seeks to educate and inspire. He regularly speaks in local classrooms and community organizations, sharing insights from his extensive personal library of over 3,500 military history books and publications, as well as his extraordinary reference collection of World War II uniforms and vehicles.
His mission is clear: to honor the lives and sacrifices of those who served. “A uniform is not just a piece of cloth,” Cain said. “It represents a person’s life, and sometimes, their ultimate sacrifice in the defense of this great country.”
This content was submitted by a Carson Now reader. Do you have photos, an announcement, or exciting news to share? We want to know! Send your community news to us at the form below:
Have an event to share? Submit it to our events calendar here.
