There is created a state soldiers’ assistance fund to aid and assist any citizen of Minnesota or resident alien residing in Minnesota who served in the military or naval forces of the United States, in securing compensation, insurance or other relief or benefits to which the server may be entitled from the United States or any other government or state and for the emergency relief, hospitalization, treatment and maintenance of all such persons who were bona fide residents of the state at the time their need arose and their dependents as provided by sections 196.05 and 197.04 to 197.07.