It's odd, but, Chester's passing revived my interest in the LPF community and finishing stories which I had put on the back burner. I think it's because, even though I'd seen the writing on the walls for many, many years, I can't help but be devastated by what happened. My personal opinion of Chester was not always positive, but I always respected his talent, and how deeply integrated he was into the band and their music. After watching the tribute concert, I saw just how impossible it was for them to perform without him. How are they supposed to continue as a band without Chester to go with them, in a physical sense?

Back in early May, a dear friend of mine passed away due to a terminal illness. The only way that I could bring myself to cope with that loss, was to remind myself that even though he could no longer be around physically to influence us and his community, everything he had done while he was alive had changed us forever. The best thing I can do as his friend is pay forward the kindness, love and creativity that he poured into the world. I feel that us as Linkin Park fans, the band members, Chester's family and close friends, can pay forward his good heart and love of everyone around him.

Nothing can fathom of just how Chester meant to me. He was such an inspiration. Mentor in his lyrics. And helped me through some pretty messed up things in my life. I will always remember his beautiful voice. Always, R.I.P Chester Bennington.

For me Chester was the force of rebirth.

He was a phoenix who rose from his ashes after every defeat.

And I looked at him as an example when I was in trouble.

He meant so much to me, words are not enough.

It’s kind of hard to put into words the feelings I have about this band, and Chester in general. I remember the first time I listened to the band, my brother had burned me a copy of their first album Hybrid Theory back in 2000 and instantly fell in love. Linkin Park instantly became my favorite band and I often had Hybrid Theory in my CD player when I was at home and when I was on school trips.

Their songs helped me through so much in my life, and I’ve made so many wonderful lifelong friends because of the wonderful fans of the band.

Chester was always an inspiration of mine, with his willingness to talk about the problems he suffered as a kid, and his strength he had with moving on and not letting his past get the better of him. Linkin Park was the first FanFiction fandom that I actually religiously wrote and read about and definitely helped me express myself through writing.

I was devastated when I first heard the news of Chester’s passing, I was at work and couldn’t stop crying. I will never forget the impact the band has had on my life, and they will always continue to be my favorite band no matter what happens in the future. It really warms my head when I see all of the fans reaching out and supporting all of Chester’s friends and family through this tragic time and I know we will all continue to be there to each other as the years pass.

Linkin Park is the first band I ever gained friendships from, and that will always stand out to me. As for Chester, I think about him daily. Because of him, I am forever changed, and I will always be grateful for that. A piece of him will always exist in my mind and in my writing. I've based more characters off of him (in one way or another) than anyone else in the world, and continue to do so. He was a source of love, light, laughter, creativity, and struggle, and I miss him deeply. In the many journeys of life, he has gone ahead of us on this one.