Juan Beltran: Quadriplegic Iraq War Veteran Builds Sustainable Eco-Friendly Farm Home (VIDEO)

When Juan Beltran was deployed to Iraq, departing from his wife and daughter, it was with a wholehearted belief in the good of serving his country. Tragically, a helicopter crash broke Beltran's neck, leaving him quadriplegic. Now, back home, he views the war in a much different light.

"I went to Iraq believing in the mission, and now I realize we were lied to," Beltran says in this video from WorkingForGreen.net. "We can't be dependent on oil."

Wanting to move toward a sustainable future for his family, and set an example others can follow, Beltran has enlisted the help of generous volunteers to turn his Chino, California property into an eco-friendly, self-sufficient farm.

The home is being remodeled with the likes of solar panels, LED lighting and a more efficient design. The Beltran's have goats that keep the grass short and provide fertilizer, hens that provide a free daily breakfast, and a vegetable garden.

Beltran is a beacon of inspiration and hope, expressing that he harbors no bitterness about what happened to him: "I'm happy with my wife and my daughter, and this beautiful house that I have, even if I'm in this condition -- It doesn't matter."

WATCH:

Comments

[climbing panda]

03:25 PM on 09/30/2010

congrats and best wishes.

have to point out thought that unless you're willing to harvest and mill the lumber for your house, the granite for your countertops, the gypsum for your drywall, etc. etc. etc. on your own and by hand you can never be free of oil.

[NioOnMaui]

06:14 PM on 09/30/2010

maybe you're missing the point? this guy made a huge sacrifice for a lie, for his country. He's making his life mean more than the some of its parts. and its all small steps. I believe years down the road we will be free of oil. and you can do the things you list free of fossil fuels. Bio diesel is already easily made and used in every type of diesel machinery it takes to mill etc... just sayin.... everything used to be run non biodiesel in this country until the oil producers were able to shut it down. just like hemp used to make so much stuff in the US till it got demonized as something it is not.

[climbing panda]

06:26 PM on 09/30/2010

always seems to be a disparity between belief and reality

[journeygirl]

07:36 PM on 09/28/2010

This is the best way to defend our country and you don't have to put on a uniform to do it. Thanks Mr. Beltran for your continued service. You are an inspiration!

[Shadow Karl]

03:09 PM on 09/28/2010

I totally applaud this man and his efforts. My wife and I already planted the big vegie garden, but we plan to expand that. We are also planning on building a chicken coup next year. We added additional insulation to our attic and below our house and replaced all our windows. I think everyone should consider at least efficiency their patriotic duty. We do need to get off oil and limiting our demand is a key step to that end.

Thanks for taking an activist's approach to this problem Juan Beltran!

[Kevin Atlanta]

01:05 PM on 09/28/2010

Good for him.  Activism comes in all shapes, sizes and ability levels.  Do what you are able.

[Joe Daugherty]

11:45 AM on 09/28/2010

www.energy-grants.net is a non-working website?! just tried it as suggested in the video.

[Kristin Workingforgreen]

01:56 PM on 09/28/2010

Hi Joe! Since we shot and edited the story the energy-grants site became obsolete. You can visit energystar.gov to search for tax credits if you've purchased an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system.

Consumers who purchase and install specific products, such as energy-efficient windows, insulation, doors, roofs, and heating and cooling equipment in existing homes can receive a tax credit.Visit energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

[DandaPanda]

11:40 AM on 09/28/2010

Juan beltran is an awesome human

[eilish]

10:28 AM on 09/28/2010

This story is in a small way familiar to me. My son also went to Iraq, not so much believing in the message but willing to serve in the AZARNG. He came home with a TBI that blinded him.

He is now living with his wife & kids in Oregon; they have bought a home there. They, too, believe we cannot continue to be dependent on oil and that we need to be more self sufficient entirely. Their first steps were to grow all their own veggies, chickens and a cow which will provide them with a calf a year for meat. Solar may not be as practical there, but they are looking into it. They have a windmill as power backup and that usually pumps their well water. His wife works as a dental hygienist so they are able to afford a hybrid car; naturally, he is more dependent on public transportation but it takes him a while to get to the line!

I'm very proud of the soldiers I've met coming home from the wars, so many of whom have a determination to make things better in America. It is a lesson that breaks my heart in how they've learned it, but what terrific people they truly are. Mr. Beltran is an inspiration to me and has made me more determined to follow through with my own efforts to utilize more green technology. And it's fun.

[angrymanspokane]

11:00 AM on 09/28/2010

Inspirational. His courage continues.

[sabelmouse]

11:25 AM on 09/28/2010

i agree