On receipt of an application therefor and presentation of written evidence that the applicant is a member or former member of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, the Commissioner shall issue to the applicant special license plates. The provisions of subdivisions 1 and 2 of subsection B of § 46.2-725 shall not apply to license plates issued under this section. No license plates shall be issued under this section unless and until a one-time fee of $3,500 shall have been paid to the Commissioner. Unremarried surviving spouses of persons eligible to receive special license plates under this section may also be issued special license plates under this section.