Curious - someone before you must have forgotten them.
I've found that they really do make it easier to get the caliper on - saves you fighting with the pads and caliper at the same time.
I checked my FSM, and they're called "Anti-Rattle Clips" - which tells me they make sure the brake pads stay put and quiet while you're not using the brakes. As you look at the bracket, with the caliper off, the two fingers go in the middle, and the straight closed part goes inside (toward the rotor.) You put the clip on, then rock it down on one end to put the first pad on. Press the other end down to put the other pad on, and spring tension holds them in place. One at the top and one at the bottom (I'd post pics, but I still have neither digital camera or scanner...)
I do suggest you put the new ones on - but I'm cranky, and brakes are not something I care to improvise on...
5-90