In an e-mail to his ABC News colleagues this afternoon, David Westin wrote:

"I have a good progress report on both Bob and Doug. As I send this to you, Doug and Vivian have checked out of Bethesda Medical Center and are on their way home to France. I spoke to them both this morning. They're in good spirits and looking forward to getting back to their children at home. Doug will continue to undergo further treatment in Europe and will be coming back for checkups in the United States as he continues to recover.

Doug and Vivian wrote the following note that they asked me to pass along to all of you:"

"We don't know how to thank every single person from ABC News for what they have done for us. Some of you we know -- some we haven't met yet. But from the moment of the attack in Iraq until today we have just been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness. We are now on our way back to France for the next phase of rehabilitation. Bob and I were already close friends from so many years together on the road. Now, both our families have bonded together in life and in our eternal gratitude to Vinnie and Magnus whose hands were the first to reach out to Bob and me on the ground that day. We also want to send a special thank you to our friend Robin Weiner whose unique sense of humor and outstanding overall support helped Vivi throughout this roller coaster. We can not thank the members of the US Military enough. The care that we have received from Baghdad to Balad and from Landstuhl to Bethesda has been extraordinary. They have looked after us above and beyond their call of duty. Our hearts go out to all those injured in the line of fire. We are truly grateful to have received treatment that is second to none and this has helped us embark on the next stage of our recovery. Thank you all. Doug and Vivi Vogt"