One of the CSRA's most memorable voices reminded us of that recently.

Hearing Harley Drew on the radio is as familiar a part of life in Augusta as driving down Washington Road.

Most listeners to WGAC-AM (580) know that Drew has been off the air for several weeks. A guest on his morning radio show a couple of months ago was touting the importance of cardiac health screenings, and Drew literally took advice to heart by visiting a doctor a few days later.

What followed was a much-needed bypass surgery -- and quite possibly the greatest amount of time in the past 50 years that Drew has spent without a microphone in front of him.

A wonderful milestone is coming up for him later this year. July 28 marks his golden anniversary as an official licensed radio broadcaster. From his beginnings as a teenager at Waynesboro's WBRO, through the years he held court on WBBQ during its crest of national prominence, to his current post at WGAC -- Drew's rich, made-for-radio voice has helped narrate the soundtrack of Augustans' lives for generations.

On Monday he is scheduled to return to the airwaves -- like a longtime friend back for another visit. Welcome back, Harley.

It should do all our hearts good.