Upon proper application, the Secretary of State shall issue registration plates designated as Gold Star license plates to any Illinois resident who is the surviving widow or widower, to each parent who is an Illinois resident, and to each Illinois resident who is a child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister, of a person who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and lost his or her life while in service whether in peacetime or war. The surviving widow or widower, each of the parents, and each child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half-brother, sister, or half-sister shall be issued one or more sets of registration plates. Registration plates issued under this Section shall be for first division vehicles and second division vehicles of 8,000 pounds or less. 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. No registration fee shall be required from surviving widows, widowers, parents, or children of persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States:
         (1) who lost their lives during World War I, World