In the life of a U.S. Army soldier taking the oath of enlistment to defend and protect the United States Constitution and all that it represents is a monumental moment and for 36 new recruits it was made a little more special Monday night when they raised their right hands and swore their allegiance in front of an enthusiastic and supportive crowd at the Stanislaus County Fair. The event was held prior to the start of the destruction derby in the fair’s arena and organized by the U.S. Army Recruiting Center in Turlock. “We wanted to do something that showed these new recruits that there was a community standing behind their decision to serve their country,” said Sgt. First Class Shandell McClain, the Turlock recruitment center’s leader.