The Michigan Vehicle Code permits a special registration plate to be issued to veterans of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and World War II as well as a person who was a member of the Michigan National Guard, the U.S. armed forces reserve, or any branch of the armed services and who was called to active duty during the Persian Gulf War. The Code also permits a special registration plate to be issued to a person who, on or after December 18, 1992, was a member of the Michigan National Guard, the U.S. armed forces, or the armed forces reserve and who was called to active duty during a declared war or an armed conflict in which the U.S. was a participant. According to the Secretary of State, approximately 49,000 veterans' plates had been issued as of October 1, 1997. In some cases, a veteran who was issued a special registration has died, and his or her spouse wants to continue using the specialty plate, which displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word "veteran" inscribed beneath them. Some people believe that the spouse of a veteran also should be able to purchase a veteran's registration plate in honor of the service rendered by his or her spouse.