The Secretary, upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State, may issue special registration plates to any Illinois resident who, while a member of the armed forces of the United States, participated in the battle of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, or to the widowed spouse of any Illinois resident who, while a member of the armed forces of the United States, participated in the battle of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, provided that the widowed spouse was married to the battle of Pearl Harbor participant at the time of the participant’s death and is a single person at the time of application. The special plates issued pursuant to this Section should be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the 1st division, motorcycles, or motor vehicles of the 2nd division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds. The Secretary may, in his or her discretion, allow the plates to be issued as vanity or personalized plates in accordance with Section 3-405.1 of this Code.
     The design and color of such plates shall be wholly within the discretion of the Secretary of State. Appropriate documentation, as determined by the Secretary, and the appropriate registration fee shall accompany the application.