Learning that the _U.S.S. Florida_ was anchored at the dock in New York, he made his way to find her. Carefully he watched his chance and climbed aboard, unseen by anyone. Luckily Charles fell into friendly hands. He was permitted to tell his story and to prove his unusual talent as a clarinet player. As a result Charles Brendler won a berth on the _U.S.S. Florida_ September 26, 1913. He was rated as a “landsman for musician.” When his parents found out where he was and what he was doing, they willingly consented to his plans. Charles, the son of Ivan and Mary Brendler, was born in New York City in 1898, on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12. He was a happy, busy little boy whose greatest pleasure seemed to be in listening to the music of a band. There were plenty of bands for him to hear on the streets and in the parks of that great city, but soon Charles began to want to make his own music. The Brendlers realized that a small boy who had such an early love for music was unusual. They bought him a clarinet, and in a short time the ten-year-old boy was playing in the band in his grade school in Brooklyn. At thirteen Charles was a cadet in John Wanamaker’s department store, playing in the boys’ band of that establishment. Wanamaker’s then had a school for the cadets and they also hired a capable director for the band. The bandleader at this time was Frederick D. Woods, an Englishman who had come to America with a musical comedy company from London. Woods liked this new country so well that he made his home in New York and became conductor of the Wanamaker Band. At the very first rehearsal Woods discovered Charles’s talent. In a cadenza the tones of one clarinet rang clear and true while the other players stumbled. “Repeat that cadenza, please,” said Woods, looking at Charles. Again he played the passage perfectly. “You are Charles Brendler?” asked Woods. “Yes, sir,” the boy replied. “Please see me after rehearsal,” said the instructor. Charles wondered whether Mr. Woods was going to let him stay in the band. “How long have you been playing the clarinet?” asked the leader after band practice. “Since I was ten years old, sir.” After asking him where and how much he had studied, he relieved Charles’s mind by saying, “You are so advanced in your playing that I should like to give you some special help in your music. I think you can go far.” The training Charles received from Woods was invaluable. This fine musician has been a great influence and inspiration throughout Brendler’s years. The Commander says today, “Mr. Woods was a thorough musician and a wonderful teacher. I owe him a great deal.” Young Brendler learned rapidly. He soon became soloist in the Wanamaker Band and he also played in the orchestra of the old Academy of Music in New York. It was then, when only fifteen, that Charles decided to make music his life work and enlisted in the U. S. Navy.