This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.

Two hundred and thirty two years sounds like a long time. In actuality it is but an eye blink in history. In 232 years, America was born, struggled and flourished to become one of the great countries in the world. Today we honor the architects of this wonderful country and recognize how blessed we are to be Americans.

Some of us have had the opportunity to visit foreign lands. We enjoy the history, scenery, food, customs and languages of those countries. But when we return to our homes, we ask ourselves, "Would I rather live in that country?" The answer comes back quickly and emphatically, "No. There is nowhere I would rather live."

Armenian-American businessman and author George Mardikian wrote, "You who have been born in America, I wish I could make you understand what it is like not to be an American — not to have been an American all of your life and then suddenly ... to be one, for that moment, and forever after. One moment you belong with your fathers of a million dead yesterdays. The next, you belong with America to a million unborn tomorrows."

The words of Emma Lazarus, inscribed on the Statue of Liberty, resonate with thousands who have been welcomed to the shores of this great country:

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shores, send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

Yes, this country does have problems. And yet, it has the ability to get up and get going again to improve the things that ail us. Regardless of circumstances, we have the chance to adjust, to take action, to right the wrongs and continue to be the country of promise and hope.

Today, let us reflect on the joys of being in this great country. America is not just a particular area of land, mountains, rivers and woods —it is a principle, and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.

For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.

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