The general assembly shall annually appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary for the support of the veterans’ home in the town of Bristol, any veterans’ cemetery authorized and established by the general assembly, and the assistance of the widows, widowers, and dependent children of deceased veterans, known as the “veterans’ assistance fund”, for the assistance of worthy dependent veterans, and the dependent-worthy families of those veterans who served in the army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, and air force of the United States and were honorably discharged from that service, and for such clerical assistance as may be required in connection with the administration of that program; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw an order upon the general treasurer for the payment of such sums as may be from time to time required, upon receipt by the state controller of proper vouchers approved by the director of veterans’ affairs.