With my old pre-epa stove a damper was a must.
With the modern epa stove, I have used it about 3 times in the last 2 years to control the burn due to high winds coming from just the right direction to make this thing hum.
For 6 bucks, I like having it there as insurance and even if I never needed to use it, it is still just 6 bucks!
My wife tends to get distracted from time to time

I don't know how many times she has used the damper but I can tell you she would ask for one in the pipe if I were to remove it. She uses it, but not for too long if you get my drift.
pen