DENVER (CBS4) – There was a toast to veterans at the Brown Palace Sunday morning.

A master swordsman used a saber to sear off the cork for the annual Champagne Cascade. The event features a two-story pyramid of 6,000 glasses filled with champagne.

Gov. John Hickenlooper was on hand to christen the tower and there was a special toast to veterans to thank them for their service.

The event raised $10,000 for the American Red Cross.