(1) The county boards of the several counties in this state shall, upon the application of the county veterans service committee, procure for and furnish to such committee some suitable and appropriate metal marker for the grave of each and every person described in subsection (2) of this section, to be placed on the grave of such soldier for the purpose of permanently marking and designating the grave for memorial purposes.

(2) A grave shall be marked pursuant to this section if the deceased person:

(a)(i) Served in the active duty armed forces of the United States or the reserve forces of the United States;

(ii) Served in the Nebraska National Guard in active duty federal service; or

(iii) Served in the Nebraska National Guard on or after July 1, 1973;

(b) Was discharged or otherwise separated with a characterization of honorable or general (under honorable conditions); and

(c) Is buried within the county.