The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1)        Period of war. – World War I (April 16, 1917, through November 11, 1918), World War II (December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946), the Korean Conflict (June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955), the period of time between January 31, 1955, and the end of the hostilities in Vietnam (May 7, 1975), or any other campaign, expedition, or engagement for which a campaign badge or medal is authorized by the United States Department of Defense.

(2)        Veteran. – A person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, for reasons other than training, and has been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.

(3)        Eligible veteran. – Any of the following:

a.         A veteran who served during a period of war.

b.         The spouse of a disabled veteran.

c.         The surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran who dies on active duty during a period of war either directly or indirectly as a result of such service.

d.         A veteran who suffered a service-connected disability during peacetime.

e.         The spouse of a veteran described in sub-subdivision d. of this subdivision.

f.          The surviving spouse or dependent of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty, for reasons other than training, who died for service-related reasons during peacetime.

(4)        Eligible member of the National Guard. – Any of the following:

a.         A resident of North Carolina who is a current member in good standing of either the North Carolina Army National Guard or the North Carolina Air National Guard.

b.         A resident of North Carolina who is a former member of either the North Carolina Army National Guard or the North Carolina Air National Guard, whose discharge is under honorable conditions with a minimum of six years of creditable service.

c.         The surviving spouse and dependent of a member of the North Carolina Army National Guard or the North Carolina Air National Guard who dies on State active duty either directly or indirectly as a result of that service.

d.         The surviving spouse or dependent of a member of the North Carolina National Guard who died for service-related reasons during peacetime. ?(1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1064, s. 1; 2021-180, s. 19E.4(b).)