Notwithstanding the provisions of any other general or public law, the governor, with the approval of the adjutant general, is hereby authorized to make available, from time to time, to the soldiers, sailors, air persons, and marines now serving their country, the facilities of the several state armories to be used without charge to them, for recreational, athletic, and such other purposes as under all circumstances may seem proper to the governor and to the adjutant general.