1. Upon the application of any post, chapter or other society composed of veterans of any war in which the forces of this state have participated, the officer in charge of any armory owned or leased by the state may permit the use of such armory for the meeting of such veteran organizations without charge, on dates when the same is not in use for military purposes.

2. All armories owned by this state or by any organization of the militia of this state, and all buildings leased by the state for military purposes, shall be exempt from taxation for all purposes during the period of such ownership.