While most Americans will honor the United States' 250th birthday with fireworks, sparklers and festivals, others, like Sturgeon Bay's Meredith Renard, will use it as a time to remember.

Renard is among the more than 100 active members of the Jean Nicolet Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. It took Renard nearly 10 years to discover that two of her sixth-great-grandfathers were patriots during the American Revolution, helping pave the way for the country we know today.

She is now among nearly 190,000 active members spread across approximately 3,000 local chapters worldwide. Her own journey discovering her connection to the American Revolution inspired her to help others find their connection to the nation's founding.

Renard said people are drawn to their families' patriotic backgrounds and to learning how their ancestors came to Wisconsin to start new lives.

The chapter has adopted Bayside Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay, caring for gravesites that include those of four daughters of American Revolution patriots.

As the lineage research chair and volunteer genealogist chair for the Jean Nicolet Chapter, Renard said she loves helping others discover their stories so they can pass them down through generations.

The DAR is active in several initiatives throughout the area, but even more so this year as part of the America 250 celebration. Renard has toured the area giving presentations that tell the stories of patriots and inspire others to dig deeper into their own family lineage.