Rich, its actually much simpler than you think (at least it seems that way). I am assuming your markers have an id or something. You may need to adjust this to work just how you want.
You need to execute $.getJSON() (and other initialization stuff which depends on the presence of certain HTML elements in the document) during window. Onload, or more the jQuery way, during $(document).ready(). Otherwise it is indeed been executed too early, namely immediately when the webbrowser retrieves the JS code, far before the HTML document is finished loading.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.