As used in sections 5901.01 to 5901.37 of the Revised Code:

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, "veteran" means either of the following:

(1) A former member of the armed forces of the United States who served on active military duty and received an honorable discharge or honorable separation, a member of the armed forces of the United States who died on active military duty, or a member of the armed forces of the United States missing in action more than ninety days;

(2) A member of the United States merchant marine to whom either of the following applies:

(a) The member has an honorable report of separation from the active duty military service, form DD214 or DD215.

(b) The member served in the United States merchant marine between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, and died on active duty while serving in a war zone during that period of service.

(B) As used in section 5901.08 and other sections of the Revised Code with regard to applications for financial assistance under sections 5901.02 to 5901.15 of the Revised Code, "veteran" means either of the following:

(1) A person who served in the armed forces of the United States on active military duty and was discharged from the service under honorable conditions, and who either served on active duty for reasons other than training or, while serving on active duty for training, incurred a disability recognized by the department of veterans affairs or department of defense as service-connected;

(2) A person who served in the United States merchant marine, who either served on active duty for reasons other than training or, while serving on active duty for training, incurred a disability recognized by the department of veterans affairs or department of defense as service-connected, and to whom either of the following applies:

(a) The person has an honorable report of separation from the active duty military service, form DD214 or DD215.

(b) The person served in the United States merchant marine between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, and died on active duty while serving in a war zone during that period of service.

(C) "Veterans plot" means a plot of land in any cemetery, set apart to be exclusively used for interring the remains of deceased veterans.

(D) "United States merchant marine" includes the United States army transport service and the United States naval transport service.

Effective Date: 03-17-2000 .