The front page of the Drudge Report ran a message above the lead image today in honor of Andrew Breitbart, who played a key role in building the site:

DEAR READER: In the first decade of the DRUDGEREPORT Andrew Breitbart was a constant source of energy, passion and commitment. We shared a love of headlines, a love of the news, an excitement about what’s happening. I don’t think there was a single day during that time when we did not flash each other or laugh with each other, or challenge each other. I still see him in my mind’s eye in Venice Beach, the sunny day I met him. He was in his mid 20’s. It was all there. He had a wonderful, loving family and we all feel great sadness for them today… MDRUDGE

Breitbart has a mention on HuffPo’s front page and a brief mention in this article of his role in building the site. EDIT: Dave Weigel reports via Twitter that the “Big” media empire he’s built will likely continue without him.