The iconic scene of a group of U.S. Marines hoisting the American flag atop the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during World War II is coming to life this weekend.

The re-enactment will happen at the GreeneWay Church in Orange County from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight.

On each half hour, to the sound of combat, the actors will freeze in the iconic position as captured on film by Associated Press photographer Joseph Rosenthal on Feb. 23, 1945 during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

The actors, some veterans themselves, are attendees of GreeneWay Church, which is at 3400 Hunter's Creek Blvd. in Orlando.

The Battle of Iwo Jima, from Feb. 19, 1945 to March 26, 1945, is one of the bloodiest in American history. The troops who raised the flag atop Mount Suribachi have been identified as Cpl. Harlon Block, Pvt. 1st Class Rene Gagnon, Pvt. 1st Class Ira Hayes, Pvt. 1st Class Harold Schultz, Pvt. 1st Class Franklin Sousley and Sgt. Michael Strank.  


Associated Press photographer Joseph Rosenthal took this iconic image of a group of U.S. Marines and sailors raising a flag atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. (National Archives)