FOR THE RECORD

Correction Officers Benevolent Association President Norman Seabrook, who was among the first labor leaders to endorse Barack Obama's bid for President nearly two years ago, didn't attend last week's inauguration ceremonies, but he said he and his board members felt the resonance watching them in The Bronx.

"Some people were saying, 'Wow this is a reality,' " he recalled in a Jan. 23 phone interview, adding that for him there had never been any doubt the day would come.

"I believed from Day 1 that he would win," Mr. Seabrook said. "I believed that in my lifetime a black man would be elected President. I believe he does two term in office, I believe he takes the economy forward and does universal health care."

He said he thought there were several important messages delivered in the new President's speech, from an emphasis on transparency in government to a more basic one of, "Forget about what happened in the past—let's move this country forward. When he talked about his father and how 60 years ago he couldn't have been served in some restaurants, it sent a very clear message to those who refuse to change with the times that change is here and it's a new day.

"I think he sent a subliminal message to Hezbollah," Mr. Seabrook continued, "that Israel has the right to defend itself and the U.S. will continue to support that, but at the same time he told both sides, 'Let's put down the weapons; let's rebuild.' I believe in three years we will have a peace agreement in the Middle East."

The COBA leader said Mr. Obama was off to an impressive start, citing in particular his signing an order to compel the closing of the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison the day after he took the oath of office.

Not everybody applauded that move, however.

As President Obama delivered on his promise to shut down the military detention center, retired Deputy Fire Chief Jim Riches returned from the base Jan. 22 after witnessing the tribunals of two men accused of plotting the 9/11 attacks.

Mr. Riches, whose Firefighter son was killed on 9/11, joined other victims' families to witness the trial. He has been an activist on behalf of the families for years, and in 2007 appeared in an International Association of Fire Fighters video criticizing former Mayor Rudy Giuliani's 9/11 record in his run for President.

Now he's taking aim at the man who actually won the election. Mr. Obama is shutting down the camp and its military tribunals within a year, arguing that holding enemy combatants for years without charges violates core American values of justice, and that certain interrogation methods such was waterboarding constitute torture. Mr. Riches disagreed.

He recalled that the two defendants laughed and smirked throughout the entire proceeding while demanding more cushions for their chairs and that their leg shackles be removed, even as they admitted to the accusations.

"They're laughing at the American justice system," he said. "It's infuriating."

From his vantage point behind glass in the tribunal room at the naval base, Mr. Riches believed that all was fair in trying and keeping the accused combatants. And what he feared most about President Obama's order was that it will take even longer for the Federal Government to set up a new system for detaining and trying the accused.

The American Civil Liberties Union supported President Obama's order. Anthony Romero, the group's executive director, said in a statement: "These executive orders represent a giant step forward. Putting an end to Guantanamo, torture and secret prisons is a civil liberties trifecta, and President Obama should be highly commended for this bold and decisive action so early in his administration."

The seventh annual benefit honoring the memories of Firefighters David Arce and Michael Boyle, close friends from childhood who perished together during the World Trade Center rescue efforts, will be held Feb. 7 at P.D. O'Hurley's Bar&Grill at 174 West 72nd St. in Manhattan.

The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m., and the $45 admission price will cover beer, wine and food, with proceeds going to the Arce- Boyle Memorial Fund. There will also be a 50/50 raffle at the door.

Checks can be made payable to the Arce-Boyle Memorial Fund care of Marge Arce, 4 School St., East Williston, N.Y. 11596.Details about the fundraiser can be obtained by calling Jimmy Boyle at (516) 972-2948.