The use and transferability of such plates shall be the same as the method used for National Guard and Air National Guard plates as provided in Sections 32-6-111 through 32-6-114. Provided, however, the license plates shall be permanent in nature and shall not be reissued each year. A recipient shall be entitled to keep his or her license plate for life. Provided further, upon the death of any recipient, the surviving spouse shall be entitled to retain the distinctive permanent plate, at no fee or tax, except that surviving spouses of Purple Heart Medal recipients shall pay ad valorem taxes due, for one private motor vehicle owned by the surviving spouse for the remainder of the spouse’s lifetime or until his or her remarriage.