Mueller’s biographical speech recounts her memories of growing up during World War II. She recalls an abrupt ending to a Sunday drive upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on the radio, recycling paper and scrap metal, planting a victory garden, blue and gold stars in the windows, gasoline ration stickers on cars, getting censored letters from her uncle serving in North Africa on microfilm, being waited on by German prisoners at Camp Crowder Officer’s Club in Neosho, Missouri, rubber and metal shortages, being unable to replace the family car until 1947, and saving up for war bonds that helped put her through college.