When used in this act:

    (a) “Period of service” means that period of time between 12:01 a.m., January 1, 1961 and 12:01 a.m., September 1, 1973.

    (b) “Veteran” means an individual who meets both of the following:

    (i) Is a veteran as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61.

    (ii) Has completed at least 190 days of honorable service or died during the period of service from service-connected causes in the military, naval, marine, or coast guard forces of the United States including the auxiliary branches thereof, was a resident of the state for at least 6 months before entering therein, and has not applied for and received similar benefits from another state. The 190 days required active duty does not include a period when assigned full-time by the armed forces to a civilian institution for a course substantially the same as a course offered to civilians; served as a cadet or midshipman at a service academy, or active duty for training in an enlistment in the Army or Air National Guard or as a reserve for service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard Reserve.

    (c) “Beneficiary” means in relation to a deceased veteran the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or the dependent surviving mother or father, in the order named which determination may be made by the probate court of the county of residence of the veteran at the time of death.

    (d) “Honorable service” means that service as evidenced by:

    (i) Honorable or general discharge, or separation under honorable conditions.

    (ii) In the case of a serviceman who has not been discharged a certificate from the appropriate service authority that a serviceman did qualify under subparagraph (i) as if the veteran was being discharged or separated.

    (e) “Combat veteran” means a veteran eligible to wear the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.